CINCINNATI (May 3, 2021) — 

Dear United Way friends,

Many of us fondly remember the days of being read to, or the days of bedtime reading to our own children, grandchildren or other kin. We at United Way of Greater Cincinnati want to help all families have reading materials so today’s preschoolers have those same fond memories.

You can help make it happen.

This is National Volunteer Week, the kickoff of United Way of Greater Cincinnati’s effort to collect and distribute 3,700 literacy kits to Hamilton County families. We are asking the community, corporate partners, faith-based partners and others to buy and assemble the kits, which include a new book and other reading activities to help preschoolers achieve kindergarten readiness, a key to future success. We partnered with Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center to ensure we reach deserving families.

To get involved, visit the Blue Manatee Literacy Project website*:

• Purchase & Assemble - Individuals and families can purchase kits online. Kits can be shipped to your home or picked up curbside at Blue Manatee in Oakley. Assemble your kits, then return them to UWGC during one of our designated return days.
• Purchase Only - Want to support the cause but don't have time to assemble? Donate kits through the purchase site and UWGC will enlist volunteers to assemble them.
• Group Purchase & Assembly - Workplaces, community groups, faith groups and others can purchase kits in bulk to host an in-office or remote service project. UWGC will work with you to support the delivery and return logistics of your bulk purchase.

GET INVOLVED
Early reading and school readiness are critical to academic success and long-term financial stability. We’ll be collecting the kits through June 18. Please join us for volunteer week or after and help us with this important project.

Sincerely,

Moira Weir
President/CEO
United Way of Greater Cincinnati

^* This opportunity is now closed for 2021. Please subscribe to our email newsletters or visit CincyHelps.org to learn about our latest featured volunteering opportunities.