Reading Rocks
A Cache Valley man is now able to “enjoy the little things in life,” such as reading to his grandchildren and picking up the daily newspaper, after participating in the Bridgerland Literacy program, his tutor Janet Jensen, said.
“He has gained more confidence,” Jensen said. “He believes that he is a reader.”
Through the efforts of several students here at Utah State University, other Cache Valley residents will also be able to discover the world of reading.
Five bands participated in a benefit concert Tuesday evening, during which book donations were collected for the Bridgerland Literacy organization. The bands included Jasmine Michaelson, Tanner Jones & The Rock Bandits, Swill, National Holiday and Anesty.
Approximately 150 people attended the concert, which was one of several projects organized by Recycle Reading.
Recycle Reading consists of nine undergraduate student who are enrolled in MHR 3110, Managing Organizations and People. As part of this class, students are organized into groups, each planning and implementing a large scale service project.
The members of Recycle Reading are working on an extensive book drive, gathering books that will be donated to Bridgerland Literacy for use in their tutoring programs.
“We are collecting any and all kinds of books,” said Jasmine Michaelson, the CEO of Recycle Reading. “Bridgerland needs books to fulfill all interest levels, from children’s to adult’s.”
Bridgerland Literacy was founded in 1987 by Cindy Yurth and group of volunteers who were troubled by adult literacy rates in Cache Valley. Its vision is to “help our community to become a valley of readers,” according to its Web site.
The members of Recycle Reading decided to organize a book drive for the organization because they wanted to focus on staying in the community.
“This is where we go to school,” said Darcie Waite, a senior majoring in business information systems. “We need to help Cache Valley out.”
Shelly Owen, Recycle Reading member and a junior studying accounting, said that 11 percent of adults in the valley can’t even read at the third-grade level.
“Third-grade level, that’s like ‘Hop On Pop,'” said Waite.
Two book drives have already been implemented at different elementary schools.
Shane Russell, a junior dual majoring in Spanish and business, organized a drive at Alta Elementary in Wyoming. Approximately 200 books were collected.
Cory Hundley, a junior studying business, also worked on a book drive at a Salt Lake City elementary school with his mother.
This weekend, group members will be handing out fliers explaining the book drive to several neighborhoods in Cache Valley. On April 9, they will return to the neighborhoods, collecting books from those wishing to donate.
So far, Recycle Reading has collected more than 2,000 books; 85 were collected from Tuesday night’s concert.
For those wishing to donate books, there are several boxes located around Cache Valley. There are collection boxes at Lee’s, Macey’s, Wal-Mart, Icon Health and Fitness and Oakridge Student Housing. Bridgerland Literacy is also in need of school supplies, so donations of paper and pencils are also encouraged.
-abean@cc.usu.edu
(Photo by Michael Sharp)
(Photo by Michael Sharp)