First volunteer activity scheduled for Oct. 10
BOYNTON BEACH, Fla., Sept. 24, 2025 — The Literacy Coalition of Palm Beach County seeks adult volunteers for its Read With Me! program, which will incorporate a six-month celebration of the Read for the Record’s 20th anniversary. The first Read with Me! The volunteer event is scheduled for October 10, with monthly dates through March 27, 2026.
Read With Me! pairs volunteers with kindergarten students at nine Palm Beach County schools. The Literacy Coalition selects books and activities for the volunteers and students to share in each session. This school year, each Read With Me! session will feature two books – one contemporary book and one book featured over the past 20 years during the Read for the Record campaign.
Read for the Record is an annual early literacy initiative that brings together municipal leaders, businesses and individuals to inspire children through the power of shared reading. Presented nationally by Jumpstart, a leading early education organization, and locally by the Literacy Coalition, Read for the Record connects adults and children in a one-day meaningful literacy experience. This milestone anniversary is made possible by Jumpstart and local sponsor PNC Grow Up Great®.
“Through the generosity of our sponsors, we wanted to create something special to celebrate 20 years of Read for the Record by featuring five beloved children’s books from the past into one of our signature volunteer activities,” said Kristin Calder, chief executive officer of the Literacy Coalition. “Each contemporary and classic children’s book will be paired based on the books’ themes.”
Dates for Read With Me!
Volunteers can sign up to read at schools located in Boynton Beach, Belle Glade, Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Jupiter, Palm Beach Gardens and Wellington. The reading sessions will last about one hour. The Literacy Coalition will provide the books and activities for the students.
Volunteer dates and featured books:
- October 10: “The Little Engine That Could” (paired with “After the Fall”)
- November 14: “Llama Llama Red Pajama” (paired with “Frog on a Log?”)
- December 12: “Not Norman: A Goldfish Story” (paired with “Strictly no Elephants”)
- January 16: “Thank You, Omu!” (paired with “The Incredible Book Eating Boy”)
- February 26: “See Marcus Grow” (Read for the Record Day book)
- March 27: “Nigel and the Moon” (paired with “Who Do You Want to Be When You Grow Up?”)
How to Get Involved
For more information on the Read With Me! Program, contact Jeanne Heavilin at 561-767-3366 or JHeavilin@LiteracyPBC.org or visit LiteracyPBC.org.
About the Literacy Coalition of Palm Beach County
A recipient of the coveted 4-star Charity Navigator rating for 16 consecutive years, the Literacy Coalition of Palm Beach County works to improve the quality of life in our community by promoting and achieving literacy. In Palm Beach County, nearly half of all third graders are not reading on grade level and 22% of adults aged 16 and older lack basic literacy skills and can’t fill out a job application or read a bus schedule. Through extensive outreach and collaboration with a network of community partners, the Literacy Coalition strives to ensure that individuals who need to improve their literacy skills receive the help they need. By providing services to 66,464 adults, children, and families each year, the Literacy Coalition’s goal is for every child and every adult in Palm Beach County to be able to read.
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