Improving kindergarten readiness is one of United Way's top priorities. Research shows that kids who have been read to on a frequent, regular basis have larger vocabularies and generally learn to read at a faster pace than those that haven't had that experience. One of the biggest challenges for increasing the time that parents spend reading to their children is getting books into their homes. For many low-income familes, purchasing books is not a possibility, and getting to the library may be difficult because of transportation limitations and work schedules. Ready to Read is changing that.
This United Way project distributes over 10,000 new, age appropriate books per year to children in our community. Distribution is made through our program partners and other organizations that work with young families. The book purchases are funded by grants from: B.A. & Esther Greenheck Foundation, Wausau Breakfast Optimist Club, Kiwanis Club of Greater Wausau, United Way of Marathon County, United Way Women in Action, UW-Extension-Homemakers' Club, and the Green Bay Packer Foundation.
