Posted by Traci Von Duyke
On September 6 the Rotary Club of North Ridgeville proudly sponsored the North Ridgeville Library’s Senior Reading Buddies program. Jennifer Winkler, North Ridgeville Branch Manager (pictured with club President Pietro Trunzo), joined the meeting that day and detailed the program itself and how they hoped to use funds to get the project launched. Jennifer is the catalyst and champion for this brand-new program being offered. It is an intergenerational program that pairs young readers (kindergarten through 3rd grade) with a senior reading buddy.
 
As a club, this was an easy decision to make to support this project. The funds that were donated -- $1,200 -- will go toward purchasing up to 30-book sets to be used in multiple Senior Reading Buddies sessions—these books would be owned by the library and reused, but would not circulate. The funds will also be used to create circulating literacy backpacks that would contain books and literacy-themed games for emerging readers; and to purchase between 60-80 books that will be given away to participating families.
 
One of the pillars of Rotary International is literacy and our club is delighted to help support that initiative within our community. It is through all of our fundraising events that we are able to give back to the city in such a meaningful way.