Bronco Club hosting benefit for the Jackson County Campaign for Grade-Level Reading
On Friday, November 3, 2017, the Bronco Club in Bellevue is presenting comedian Jonathan Burns. Free will donations at the event will benefit the Jackson County Campaign for Grade-Level Reading. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. with live music to follow.
The performance is part of a series of events the Bronco Club is hosting to support local nonprofits.
“The Bronco Club this year is trying to give back to the community so we’re doing several fundraisers to support great nonprofits in Jackson County,” said Mel Roeder, manager of the Bronco Club.
An initiative of the Community Foundation of Jackson County (CFJC), the Jackson County Campaign for Grade-Level Reading (GLR) brings focus to a key predictor of school success and high school graduation: grade-level reading by the end of the third grade. The Campaign is a collaborative effort by funders, nonprofit partners, schools and parents to help ensure that more low-income children succeed in school and are prepared for college, a career and active citizenship.
“Our focus is to ensure more students read at grade level by grade three by focusing on school readiness, school attendance and summer learning,” said Jackson County GLR Coordinator Rachel Williams.
Last summer, nearly 170 students participated in the Jackson County Campaign’s Summer Adventure, a county-wide program that includes literacy instruction, enrichment activities and field trips, as well as free meals and transportation. More than three-quarters of Summer Adventure participants maintained or improved their reading proficiency over the summer.
What the data cannot always show, however, is the potential for such innovative programs to inspire a love of learning. As one parent noted, “I think this is such an amazing program and I’m very fortunate that my daughter has been able to attend. She continues to work on her math and reading and wants to do it even when not in school!”
“The youth in Jackson County are our future,” said Mary Jo Gothard, CFJC executive director. “Just $10 can buy three books for local kids. Together we truly can make a difference.”
To learn more about the Jackson County Campaign for Grade-Level Reading, visit www.jacksoncountyfoundation.org.