Read Like a Badger — Build a Better World
July 05, 2017 | General News, Badgers Give Back
Madison Public Library Foundation hosts fourth annual Rock & Read Fundraiser to support literacy among thousands of children in the Madison Metropolitan District
MADISON, Wis. — Families began summer vacation by spending a sunny Sunday afternoon at Capital Brewery Bier Garten's fourth annual Rock & Read fundraiser to benefit thousands of students in the district who are below the recommended literacy level. All proceeds go to the Madison Public Library (MPL) to support summer reading programs across the Madison Metropolitan School District. By encouraging summer long reading, MPL hopes to inspire the minds of young students to build a better world.
Had some fun in the sun at Rock & Read, teaching the community to read like a #Badger. ????????
— Badgers Give Back (@BadgersGiveBack) June 18, 2017
During Rock & Read, the community enjoyed live music, watched a performance by the UW Spirit Squad and learned the importance of reading first-hand from Badger student-athletes. Junior swimmer Jess Unicomb, junior softball pitcher Angela Morrow and junior softball centerfielder Kelly Welsh showed their support for year-round reading by recommending their favorite childhood stories, while autographing Badger bookmarks.
"Events like Rock & Read are great," Unicomb said. "We not only get to interact with Badger fans, but we also get to see the community come together to support a cause."
The MPL Foundation is targeting summer schools and home daycares to help close the literacy gap among youth in Madison, while still making reading fun. The foundation also works with those in the community to improve reading and writing through daily activities among students with summer learning loss.
"Rock & Read is an opportunity for the community to celebrate literacy, learning and the city's nine public libraries," said MPL Foundation officer Francesca Rodriquez.
Rock & Read was a success for the MPL Foundation as it reached its goal of raising $13,000 for the library's summer reading clubs and was also the perfect opportunity for the student-athletes to spend an afternoon with Madison families to promote growth for summer reading among kids of all ages.
For more information on the MPL Foundation and Rock & Read, visit mplfoundation.org.
Main photo caption: The student-athletes loved swapping book suggestions back-and-forth with all of the kids.
