Optimist Club of Red Deer donates to Reading College

More Grade 2 students in Red Deer Public Schools will continue to benefit from Reading College, thanks to a generous $13,000 donation from the Optimist Club of Red Deer. As the founding sponsor of the program, the Club’s ongoing support helps provide students with vital literacy skills to set them up for future success.

“We are proud to continue our partnership with Reading College,” said Les Trevor, President of the Optimist Club of Red Deer. “Supporting literacy at an early age is critical to building strong communities, and we are thrilled to see the program’s positive impact on young learners in Red Deer.”

Hosted at the Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre at Red Deer Polytechnic, Reading College provides Grade 2 students with the opportunity to immerse themselves in a literacy-rich environment for the entire month of July. Students are supported by mentor teachers and recent education graduates from Red Deer Polytechnic. Each day, students engage in exciting activities designed to ignite their passion for reading and writing.

Reading College not only boosts literacy, but also introduces students to a world of possibilities with higher education. By hosting Reading College at Red Deer Polytechnic, it offers an opportunity to showcase some of the programs at the post-secondary institution.

“The generosity of the Optimist Club of Red Deer has been instrumental in the success of Reading College. Their commitment ensures more students can develop strong literacy skills that are foundational for their education and future opportunities,” said Kristine Plastow, Chair of the Foundation for Red Deer Public Schools. “With the continued support of the Optimist Club of Red Deer, this program will help more young learners reach their full potential.”

Last year, more than 70 Grade 2 students benefited from Reading College. In just 20 days, students saw significant improvements in their reading and writing skills. This year’s program will celebrate its 14th year.