Thompson Child & Family Focus, a nonprofit provider of treatment, care and education for at‑risk children and families, will hold its 16th annual March Madness for Reading March 1 – 30 at the agency’s Child Development Center at 1646 Clanton Road. This year’s theme, “Hooked on Books,” will engage families, Thompson staff, and the community-at-large, in numerous activities to inspire a passion for reading that fosters lifelong learning habits.
Thompson is seeking volunteers to read to the children for 15-30 minute time slots on Tuesdays or Thursdays from 9 to 10:30 a.m. or 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. To volunteer, contact Raechelle Berry, rberry@thompsoncff.org, 704.644.4396.
Thompson’s March Madness for Reading has attracted thousands of corporate and community volunteers since its inception in 1997. Last year, volunteers read more than 20,000 books.
The public is also invited to make donations to help provide books. Each $5 donation will provide one book that includes an inscription with donor’s name. You may donate online at http://www.thompsoncff.org/March_Madness_Donate.html or mail a check to Thompson Child & Family Focus, 6800 Saint Peter’s Lane, Matthews, NC 28105.
The Thompson Child Development Center serves up to 150 children from birth to 5 years of age from its state-of-the-art facility on Clanton Road in west Charlotte. The Center provides North Carolina five-star licensed early childhood education to a diverse population – many of whom are exposed to domestic violence, substance abuse, and impoverished environments. A large percentage of the children enrolled have been diagnosed with special needs or have high risk factors.
Buck Lawrimore
editor@www.charlotteareanews.com
