Goodwill, Junior League partner on 'Good Readers' event at Alta Vista Elementary School

On April 23, 15 of Junior League of Sarasota’s “Sustainers” - members who have met their required service hours but continue to volunteer - read to more than 100 second graders at Alta Vista Elementary School. This event was part of Goodwill Manasota’s “Good Readers” program, which is an effort to bring a love of reading to students at Title I schools in Sarasota and Manatee counties. During Good Readers visits, students are presented a donated book to take home with them; additional books are donated to the school’s library.

This was the fourth Good Readers program since its inception in 2013; three have taken place at Alta Vista, one at the Visible Men Academy in Bradenton. More than 400 students have benefited to date. For more information on volunteering as a Good Reader or donating children’s books, call (941) 355-2721, ext. 114.

PHOTO IDs:

The children in Mrs. Martha Downing’s class proudly display the books they selected to take home

(From row, l-r) Sue Hoffman, Kay Chandler, Terry Reed, Judy Rush, Debbie Shapiro, Wendy Hopkins and Kim Wheeler; (back row, l-r) Alta Vista Reading Specialist Barb Rannigan, Karen Long, Michelle Crabtree, Gretchen Bullock, Susan Herriott, Jane Summerville, Gari Brindle, Mary Lou Moulton, Joan Campo-Liga, Alta Vista Principal Dr. Barabra Shirley, and Goodwill Manasota director of community outreach Rick Hughes

About Goodwill Manasota
Goodwill Manasota is an industry-leading, 501(c)(3), not-for-profit organization that changes lives through the power of work. With the sales of donated goods and philanthropic donations, Goodwill is able to assist people with disabilities and other barriers to employment by providing job skills training and employment opportunities. In 2014, Goodwill Manasota served more than 16,000 people, placed 680 people in jobs and assisted 520 veterans as they reintegrated back into the civilian workforce. Goodwill Manasota’s economic impact back to the community is worth $81.3 million. Goodwill is one of the pioneers of the reduce-reuse-recycle movement and this past year diverted 39 million pounds out of the landfill. We accomplish our mission through a network of Good Neighbor Centers in Sarasota, Manatee, Hardee and DeSoto counties and our Mission Development Services (MDS) around North America. Goodwill Manasota is accountable to a local Board of Directors. Goodwill Manasota in essence belongs to this community, and is not owned by any individual or company. For more information, visit www.experiencegoodwill.org.

###