BANNOCKBURN, Ill. - Great Lakes Credit Union (GLCU) said staff is volunteering at West Elementary School in Zion, Ill. to read books to students about Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The chosen books will highlight MLK’s work on equity, diversity and civil rights.
GLCU said it will provide a total of 16 volunteers, two of which will be reading in Spanish to make sure everyone has an equal opportunity to learn. Approximately 300 to 350 children from third through fifth grades will be present at the readings.
By partnering with United Way of Lake County to support the virtual event, GLCU added it can safely serve the community and provide support on literacy to young students despite the COVID-19 pandemic.
"We understand that during this difficult time not all students have easy access to books at home,” said Abraham Santiago, senior manager of community and financial education programs. “Through our partnership with United Way of Lake County, we are excited to not only read to the children virtually in the classroom, but to also send them home with a book they can read with their families so they can continue to learn and grow."
Books include “Let the Children March,” by Monica Clark-Robinson; “A Place to Land,” by Barry Wittenstein; “My Daddy, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.,” by Martin Luther King III; and “Happy Birthday, Martin Luther King,” by Jean Marzollo.