Read to Grow to Host “A Night for the Books” Community Event May 7 at the Westport Library

Read to Grow to Host “A Night for the Books” Community Event May 7 at the Westport Library

WESTPORT, CT —A Connecticut nonprofit working to ensure children begin life surrounded by books will bring the community together this spring for an evening celebrating early literacy.

Read to Grow, a statewide organization dedicated to promoting literacy from birth, will host its annual fundraiser “A Night for the Books” on Wednesday, May 7 from 6–9 PM at the Westport Library.

This year’s event celebrates the launch of their new children’s book Where Love Grows, a story inspired by the everyday moments that build language and connection. Written by Janet Costa Bates and Illustrated by Lynn Gaines.

The evening will highlight the power of books, community, and connection, while raising funds for programs that provide books and literacy resources to families across Connecticut.

Event highlights include:

• Dave Briggs to Emcee the evening. Dave is a longtime national news, sports and business broadcaster having anchored at CNN, FOX, NBC & Turner Sports and Yahoo Finance. He’s lived in Westport since 2008 with wife Brandi and their 3 kids. He’s hosted countless local events over the years including Fashionably Westport and is a trustee at the Westport Library.

• Twelve artists from the Artists Collective creating original book-inspired centerpieces that will be auctioned
• Westport Senior Center volunteers helping craft book-themed decorations
• Farm-to-table food from Zucca Gastrobar to be enjoyed all night
• A Giving Tree featuring gift cards donated by local stores and restaurants to be part of their mystery pulls

Earlier that day, families are invited to the Westport Library from 3–5 PM, where the Read to Grow Bookmobile will give away free books to children.