Press Release

WARSAW — United Way of Whitley and Kosciusko Counties is currently recruiting volunteers for Read United.

Beginning the week of Oct. 28, volunteers will visit an elementary school classroom in person once a week for four weeks to read a book to children.

Volunteers can sign up online. This is an outstanding chance to share a love of reading with children.

“Reading together is a powerful, shared experience,” said Darren Bickel, United Way president. “United Way is committed to connecting kids with as many caring adults as possible and Read United is a great way for our community to make a connection.”

United Way supplies books and prompt cards to help volunteers get kids involved and excited about the story being read.

United Way is partnering with Warsaw Community Schools and Whitley County Consolidated Schools to focus on first, second and third-grade classrooms. Read United volunteers will also have a chance to talk about how reading helps them, both at their jobs and in everyday life.

“If you have been wanting to volunteer, this is a great place to start,” said Bickel. “All it takes is somebody who wants to spend time with kids and share their love of reading.”

Since 2017, United Way has matched hundreds of volunteers with classrooms, impacting thousands of children. Read United is one of United Way’s Brain Development initiatives, designed to help kids become amazing learners as they grow.