As Kendra Housel read two books to Lincoln Elementary School second-graders this morning, the students were intently listening to every word. Accompanied by Kosciusko County Community Foundation Board Member Marlene Mulero-Betances, Housel read “The True Story of the Three Little Pigs” and “What’s the Time, Mr. Wolf?” Housel is a member of Kosciusko Endowment Youth Services, the Foundation’s youth philanthropy group. The KEYS members were encouraging literacy among nearly 1,000 second-graders during Read Across Kosciusko County today. KEYS students and adult volunteers traveled to elementary schools throughout the county to read to the second-graders. Teachers were presented with new books for their classrooms, along with some surprises, like wristbands, for their students. A total of 22 KEYS students, 16 volunteers, 16 elementary schools, 49 second-grade teachers and 1,000 second-grade students were involved. The event correlates with the national reading event, “Read Across America,” which is held every March, the month of Dr. Seuss’s birthday. “Read Across Kosciusko County is a great way for KEYS students to practice their mission to impact education,” said KEYS Navigator Amy Cannon in a press release provided. “In addition to encouraging the vital skill of reading, this program helps KEYS members to be better grant makers as they interact with the students who are impacted by the educational grants they award.” KEYS students represent eighth through 12th grade from Lakeland Christian Academy, Tippecanoe Valley, Warsaw and Wawasee school corporations. Their mission is “to work together to positively impact and improve education in our community by providing aid, now and for future generations.” For more information about KEYS, visit the website at kcfoundation.org/seekingfunds/educationgrants
