Community bands together to promote child literacy
(Submitted Photo)
NORWICH – More than 50 families participated in Norwich’s first ever, “One Community One Book,” event, with 10 local businesses, and 12 volunteers helping to make the event a success.
From 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Saturday Improve Norwich Now (I.N.N.) held One Community, One Book at the Guernsey Memorial Library and several local businesses.
According to I.N.N. Co-Founder Jen Westervelt, with more than 50 families participating in their first community wide literacy based event, I.N.N. now hopes to provide three similar events next year.
“We are excited to be able to partner with local businesses to help promote literacy to our youth,” said Westervelt. “10 businesses took part in the event, and we’re grateful for their participation.”
“Without their willingness to host a clue, there would have been no places for eager children to search out the "treasure."
She thanked the businesses who hosted clues, and said I.N.N. hopes to expand locations for future offerings, so any interested businesses or agencies should reach out for more info. She added that the live music by Two for Tomorrow also helped make the event a success.
"From reading to learn, to reading for pleasure, to reading in order to complete job applications and business or personal paperwork, reading is an essential life skill,” said Westervelt. “We hope to engage a variety of reading levels for future events including early elementary and upper elementary, as well as continuing to reach the youngest members of our community in future literacy focused events.”
Westervelt said Kimberly Hazen from Guernsey Memorial Library was instrumental in connecting with the author and getting the event going, and she thanked the author, Suzanne Bloom for reading her children’s book “I Just Like You,” during the event.
She said Bloom read her book and led children in the creation of their own coloring book to go along with the story of I Just Like You. She added each family was given a copy of Bloom's book, courtesy of event sponsor Dr. Banks, and I.N.N.’s work to promote literacy will continue at the Norwich Family YMCA.
“We are working closely with Jamey Mullen from the Norwich YMCA to recreate the Book Nook concept at the Y and to grow our literacy team,” she said. “Rachel Ballin, an Improve Norwich Now literacy team member, created the clues that were placed in each of the local businesses.”
Westervelt said businesses or organizations that participated in the event included the Norwich Family YMCA, Norwich Copies Plus, Action Cyclery, The Artists' Palette, McNeil's Jewlers, McLaughlin's, Nina's, A Little Herbal Shoppe, In Motion Designs, Parson's Daughter, and Guernsey Memorial Library.
Funds raised also provided event attendees with light-up necklaces to go with the, “Parade of Lights,” theme. The parade occurred after the One Community, One Book event.
Those who wish to provide suggestions for future books or authors may reach out to Improve Norwich Now through their email at improvenorwichnow@gmail.com or their facebook.
From 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Saturday Improve Norwich Now (I.N.N.) held One Community, One Book at the Guernsey Memorial Library and several local businesses.
According to I.N.N. Co-Founder Jen Westervelt, with more than 50 families participating in their first community wide literacy based event, I.N.N. now hopes to provide three similar events next year.
“We are excited to be able to partner with local businesses to help promote literacy to our youth,” said Westervelt. “10 businesses took part in the event, and we’re grateful for their participation.”
“Without their willingness to host a clue, there would have been no places for eager children to search out the "treasure."
She thanked the businesses who hosted clues, and said I.N.N. hopes to expand locations for future offerings, so any interested businesses or agencies should reach out for more info. She added that the live music by Two for Tomorrow also helped make the event a success.
"From reading to learn, to reading for pleasure, to reading in order to complete job applications and business or personal paperwork, reading is an essential life skill,” said Westervelt. “We hope to engage a variety of reading levels for future events including early elementary and upper elementary, as well as continuing to reach the youngest members of our community in future literacy focused events.”
Westervelt said Kimberly Hazen from Guernsey Memorial Library was instrumental in connecting with the author and getting the event going, and she thanked the author, Suzanne Bloom for reading her children’s book “I Just Like You,” during the event.
She said Bloom read her book and led children in the creation of their own coloring book to go along with the story of I Just Like You. She added each family was given a copy of Bloom's book, courtesy of event sponsor Dr. Banks, and I.N.N.’s work to promote literacy will continue at the Norwich Family YMCA.
“We are working closely with Jamey Mullen from the Norwich YMCA to recreate the Book Nook concept at the Y and to grow our literacy team,” she said. “Rachel Ballin, an Improve Norwich Now literacy team member, created the clues that were placed in each of the local businesses.”
Westervelt said businesses or organizations that participated in the event included the Norwich Family YMCA, Norwich Copies Plus, Action Cyclery, The Artists' Palette, McNeil's Jewlers, McLaughlin's, Nina's, A Little Herbal Shoppe, In Motion Designs, Parson's Daughter, and Guernsey Memorial Library.
Funds raised also provided event attendees with light-up necklaces to go with the, “Parade of Lights,” theme. The parade occurred after the One Community, One Book event.
Those who wish to provide suggestions for future books or authors may reach out to Improve Norwich Now through their email at improvenorwichnow@gmail.com or their facebook.
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