United Way of Kenosha County and Read Across Kenosha donated children's books to 260+ KUSD classrooms, starting with Wilson Elementary. Pictured from left: Carolynn Friesch: CEO at United Way of Kenosha County, Jacqueline Morris: Vice President of Human Resources at Gateway Technical College, Rhonda Lopez: Wilson Elementary Principal, Katie Ottersen: Marketing Associate at LMI Packaging and Jordania Leon-Jordan: Chief Information Officer at University of Wisconsin-Parkside.
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United Way of Kenosha County donates children’s books to more than 260 classrooms

In partnership with KUSD, Read Across Kenosha engaged local leaders with local students

By UNITED WAY OF KENOSHA COUNTY

United Way of Kenosha County fights for the health, education, and financial stability of every person. For almost 100 years, UWKC has created positive change throughout Kenosha County by mobilizing the caring power of the community, improving lives, and striving for lasting, positive transformation.

United Way of Kenosha County, mobilizing the caring power of our community, donates children’s books to more than 260 KUSD classrooms in conjunction with Read Across Kenosha, which took place on March 2. The community literacy event engaged local leaders with more than 2,000 kindergarten through third grade students across Kenosha County via recorded and live virtual readings.

Guest readers included City of Kenosha Mayor John Antaramian, Yolanda Adams: KUSD school board president Yolanda Adams, Gateway Technical College president and CEO Bryan Albrecht, UW-Parkside chancellor Debbie Ford, and guests from Kenosha Literacy Council, Kenosha Kingfish, Culver’s and more.

“It was so exciting to reintroduce this annual event and read with our local leaders and local students.”

– Carolynn Friesch, United Way of Kenosha County CEO

The book selection featured diverse authors and titles, guided by National Education Association’s recommendations for Read Across America. Each KUSD K-3 classroom received one copy of a featured book so that they can continue enjoying the Read Across Kenosha titles long after the one-day event.

“It was so exciting to reintroduce this annual event and read with our local leaders and local students,” UWKC CEO Carolynn Friesch said. “United Way of Kenosha County continues to explore ways we can positively contribute to literacy and education in our community.”

United Way thanks the 2022 Read Across Kenosha sponsors for their support of this community literacy initiative: Gateway Technical College, University of Wisconsin-Parkside and LMI Packaging, as well as over 40 individuals for their contributions. United Way also thanks Blue House Books, for helping to securing over 260 new children’s books for KUSD classrooms.

Anybody can tune in to the recorded readings by visiting HERE. For more information, contact Marisa Markowski at (262) 671-2208.

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