Lakeland Christian Academy’s Tim Yocum reads a story about a lost baby bird to the audience of youngsters. Also shown in the background is local Optometrist Dr. Jason Rich, who brought his 8-year-old daughter, Tessa, a second grader at Akron Elementary School.

WARSAW — Three community leaders who also happen to be called “Dad” at home took time Monday night, Oct. 29, to read to children during a program at the Warsaw Community Public Library called Reach Out And Read.

The readers, Winona Lake Police Chief Joe Hawn, Lakeland Christian Academy Athletic Director Tim Yocum and local Optometrist Dr. Jason Rich, selected their favorite children’s books to read to the audience of youngsters.

Kosciusko Literacy Services was co-sponsor of the event and each child who attended received a free book. Participating families also received a coupon from the local B.A.B.E. program.

According to Library Director Ann Zydek, research has recently learned that while reading aloud to children has a positive effect on their development, that impact is compounded when the reader is also Dad. Recent researched pointed to fathers influencing their children to use their imagination, according to a Harvard University study published in The Telegraph.