More Than One Hundred Executives Joined the Chamber to Promote Early Childhood Literacy

One hundred four business executives from around the region spent time reading to eager Kindergarten and pre-K students recently as part of the Read to Me Early Literacy Program, organized by the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce and the School District of Philadelphia. The story tellers visited 20 schools throughout the School District of Philadelphia to read The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister to more than 2,500 four-and five year olds.

Led by the corporate sponsorship of Bank of America, with support from Endo Pharmaceuticals, Lockheed Martin, South Jersey Energy and Wal-Mart, the program promotes early childhood literacy and regularly reading aloud to young children as a building block for success. The intention behind the involvement of high-level executives is to draw attention to the value of reading to youngsters and to encourage other adults to do the same.

Mark Schweiker, Chamber President & CEO; Margaret Scopelianos, Market Executive for Northeast Government Banking, Bank of America, PA and Chairwoman of Read to Me; Sandra Dungee Glenn, Chairwoman of the School Reform Commission; and senior executives from all of the major supporting companies listed above were among the storytellers at the event.

“The Chamber, Bank of America and all of the other program sponsors are committed to ensuring that Philadelphia school children have access to opportunity,” said Schweiker. Literacy is the key to opening the doors… and when children develop a love of reading, the realization of what they can aspire to and achieve becomes limitless.”

Studies show that children who are read to at an early age become more literate. As a result, they have a greater chance for later school success, because reading is the fundamental skill on which further academic attainments is built.

The event is symbolic of the business community’s tangible commitment to create a lasting impression on young students and their families. Each reader, as well as companies who were unable to send representatives, made a donation toward a collection of 300 hard back books which children can take home to read aloud with their parents or caregivers. The students also received special tote bags donated by the sponsoring companies to transport their books between school and home.

The Read to Me Early Literacy Program was created by Lynn Rosenthal, a literacy leader in the School District of Philadelphia. Financial donations for books are always welcome. Executives interested in participating in next year’s event are invited to contact Tara Quay at 215-790-3732 or email tquay@greaterphilachamber.com.

Click here to view photos from the event.