If you're looking for a terrific cause to support in the Philadelphia region, one that our team at American Executive Centers became passionate about five years ago and is proud to help promote, is a non-profit organization called, "Philadelphia Reads." Philadelphia Reads' mission is to support and foster early childhood literacy in the city of Philadelphia. Each year our staff and many of our clients participate in several of the events hosted -annually-by Philadelphia Reads. One in particular we all really enjoy is called, "The Reading Olympics," (http://www.phila.gov/philareads/). Approximately 159 teams comprised of 1,700 students, representing 87 schools and organizations from all over the city of Philadelphia, compete in the Reading Olympics at local colleges, universities and the Free Library of Philadelphia.
The Reading Olympics began in 2003 and has quickly become a popular, city-wide reading competition. Today the Mayor's Office of Education is a coordinating partner and participation has expanded to middle school teams.
As the event grew, with more schools participating each year, Philadelphia Reads came to American Executive Centers in 2008 and asked us to please help as volunteers. Our management team, staff and several of our clients jumped at the opportunity and continue to participate annually.
Volunteering to help with the Reading Olympics has been such an inspiring experience for our staff and clients. As a team, from January through May, the young students work hard to read and master the lessons of the 20 books they are assigned for the competition. The program is clearly quite successful in encouraging students to share an enthusiasm for reading and to learn collaboration skills through teamwork. The Reading Olympics is undoubtedly helping to develop a city of readers and at the same time is an event where everyone who participates has a ton of fun! Team American Executive Centers is proud to be a part of the Reading Olympics year after year, and we will continue to support this great cause with volunteers in the future.
The combination of the team's and volunteer's enthusiasm, produce a truly great experience. Ralph Waldo Emerson said that "nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm." Bonnie Stone with Philadelphia Reads, shared in a letter to us, what some of the kids had to say about their experience competing in The Reading Olympics...
"Kids have been knocking down my door asking to join next year's team. It was fabulous."
"Even reluctant readers have eagerly read and met with the group."
"They are quite eager to read any sequels...They come to me showing the last page, "Look what it says, there's another one. Do we have it?"
"My students enjoy reading and discussing the books; they have deepened their comprehension in discussion and enjoy recommending books."
"I liked The Reading Olympics. It was fun. It made me feel that I can read all day."
The Reading Olympics is truly a fun time for a great cause. We hope to rally more volunteers for next year's event. If you would like to volunteer for The Reading Olympics or other Philadelphia Reads events scheduled throughout the year, please either contact me at asenski@americanexecutivecenters.com or Bonnie Stone at Philadelphia Reads: Tel: 215.279.7516 or bstone@philareads.org
To learn more about Philadelphia Reads, visit www.philareads.org