United Way Emerging Leaders and Fountain Hill Elementary Students Celebrated Dr. Seuss Day

Allentown, PA, March 8, 2019 – On March 7th, United Way Emerging Leaders, a United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley (UWGLV) affinity group, helped Bethlehem students celebrate Dr. Seuss Day and National Read Across America Week. Volunteers read stories written by Dr. Seuss to 400 second through fifth grade students at Fountain Hill Elementary School. They also participated in other Dr. Seuss related activities like a game of Dr. Seuss Says - a play off of Simon Says. Themed coloring and activity books, generously donated by Working Dog Press, pencils and erasers were also distributed to all students to enjoy.
 
Each year, thousands of schools and libraries participate in National Read Across America Day to share the importance of reading. With 35% of Lehigh Valley third graders not yet reading on grade-level, UWGLV has set a bold goal to dramatically improve third grade grade-level reading by 2022 and continues to convey the fun and joy of reading to students across the Lehigh Valley. Lehigh Valley Reads, a collective impact initiative powered by UWGLV and PBS39, is a regional literacy campaign that will ensure all students read on grade level at the end of third grade by 2025.
 
“I really enjoyed reading to the children and watching them experience Dr. Seuss, my favorite children’s author since I was little,” said Emerging Leader Allison Millheim. “The kids were rhyming aloud as we read. Dr. Seuss books are not only fun, they can teach valuable lessons to children.”
 
Fountain Hill Elementary School is a United Way Community School and the largest elementary school in the Bethlehem Area School District. The school is home to 580 pre-kindergarten through fifth grade students with a passion for learning.
 
“As a Community School, we are proud to offer many resources and services to our students and families thanks to partnerships with organizations based in our local community.” says Paige Hoffman, Fountain Hill Community School Coordinator. “We support our students in the areas of basic needs, in-school and after-school programming, health and mental health services and parent and family engagement and education.”
 
Emerging Leaders are committed to education and dedicate much of their talent and resources to the summer reading program at Fountain Hill Elementary. They are a dynamic group of passionate, young professionals from around the Lehigh Valley who work together to build a strong community through networking, professional development and volunteerism.


 Left to right: Emerging Leaders Allison Millheim (Guardian) and Jessica Escobar-Eck (UWGLV) and Fountain Hill third graders.


Left to right: Emerging Leaders Kim Kitashima (UWGLV), Monique McCants (Air Products) and Fountain Hill third graders.


Left to right: Monique McCants (Air Products), Allison Millheim (Guardian Insurance), Laurel Ross (Capital BlueCross), Rebecca McAtee (UWGLV), Jessica Dow (Penn State Lehigh Valley), Kim Kitashima (UWGLV), Jessica Escobar-Eck (UWGLV), Erin Coffey (UWGLV).

About United Way Emerging Leaders
Uniting a group of diverse professionals with a common goal of building a stronger Lehigh Valley through networking, professional development and volunteerism. Emerging Leaders are committed to education and literacy and have a strong focus on volunteer efforts benefiting students and families of Community Schools. If you would like to learn more about United Way Emerging Leaders, please contact Erin Coffey at 610-807-5722 or at erinc@unitedwayglv.org.
 
Mission of United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley
The mission of United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley is to provide the leadership, convene the partnerships, and develop the resources and solutions that improve our community.  We remain committed to these goals and sincerely appreciate the continued support of partners, program providers and donors throughout the Lehigh Valley. www.UnitedWayGLV.org.