RIVERSIDE, Calif.–Altura Credit Union employees visited Riverside County elementary schools earlier this month to read to students as part of annual “Read Across America Day.” Created to promote literacy, Read Across America is celebrated in March to coincide with the birthday of Dr. Seuss, the beloved children’s author.
“This is one event that our employees really enjoy,” says Tina Covington, vice president of Business Development for Altura. “It’s a joy to get into the classrooms and read to children of all ages. In addition to being fun, it helps promote reading, which is so vital for success in life.”
Seventeen Altura employees volunteered this year, including Chief Operating Officer Robert Whitton, along with Covington. The volunteers read to students at 11 schools in the Riverside Unified, Alvord Unified, Moreno Valley Unified, Desert Sands Unified and Hemet Unified school districts.
The event was created by the National Education Association 20 years ago to celebrate, promote and generate enthusiasm for reading in school-age children. Parents and volunteers around the country read to children of all ages at local schools, libraries and other locations as part of the national event.
At right, readers from Altura Credit Union channel Dr. Seuss on their visits to local elementary schools during Read Across America Day. Among the 17 Altura employees who participated were, from left: Amanda Nichols, Tammie Swisher and Vice President Tina Covington.