Category: Corporate Social Responsibility
Photo by Richard Hurd
Madison Reading Project/Dolly Parton Mailed 353,400 New Books to Dane County Kids
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MORE INFORMATION:
Rowan Childs, Rowan@madisonreadingproject.com, (608) 347-7970
Sarah Burke, sarah@madisonreadingproject.com
Madison Reading Project/Dolly Parton Mailed 353,400 New Books to Dane County Kids
DANE COUNTY – Celebrating three years as the facilitator of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, Madison Reading Project announces today that since 2021, it has mailed more than 353,400 brand new books free of charge to children under age 5 residing in Dane County.
And that number continues to grow, as 143,995 books were mailed in 2024!
Madison Reading Project enrolls any child, from birth to their 5th birthday, who lives in Dane County to receive a free book mailed to their home every month. The books are new, age-appropriate board and picture books that are designed to be shared with families.
“In the past year, we’ve sent nearly 144,000 books to more than 14,720 children throughout the county, and we’d love to add more to our mailing list,” says Rowan Childs, Madison Reading Project co-executive director. “Shared reading experiences in the home are a proven way to increase literacy rates in early childhood and beyond.”
“We are so excited to make an impact and put more books into the hands of young children in Dane County,” adds Sarah Burke, Madison Reading Project Early Literacy Coordinator.
To enroll a child residing in Dane County visit https://www.madisonreadingproject.com/imaginationlibrary and click on the Register button. There is no charge to participate. Your first book will arrive in approximately 60 days. The collaboration between Dolly Parton Imagination Library and Madison Reading Project is made possible through funding from Roots & Wings Foundation. Madison Reading Project is a nonprofit organization with a mission to connect the community with free books and literacy enrichment programs that ignite a love for reading.
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Photo by Richard Hurd
AT&T Contributes $25,000 to Expand Digital Literacy Programs
Wisconsin Literacy received a $25,000 AT&T contribution to expand its digital literacy programs for adult learners, helping to bridge the digital divide for those in need in the community.
The AT&T contribution will help Wisconsin Literacy enhance its digital literary programming by improving the quality and accessibility of online resources and expanding the reach of in-person workshops.
“Our mission is to change lives by strengthening literacy statewide. In today’s connected world, that also means providing digital skills training to our member agencies’ staff and volunteers. These trainings enhance the literacy programs they provide to adult students and families across the state,” said Jake Gorges, Executive Director, Wisconsin Literacy. “Thanks to AT&T’s support, we are very excited to expand our digital literacy programs in 2025 to include more in-person workshops, as well as new equipment, technology, and digital literacy resources for Wisconsin families limited by the digital divide.”
With this support from AT&T, Wisconsin Literacy will offer additional computer skills workshops in the Madison area; upgrade training production equipment for its online digital literacy classes; and build an instructional video library of best practices in digital skills training. Wisconsin Literacy will also invest in translation and captioning services to accommodate tutors and learners from various backgrounds.
“We are so honored to help connect families served by Wisconsin Literacy with greater possibilities through these digital literacy programs,” said Robyn Gruner, Director of External Affairs, AT&T Wisconsin. “Today, internet connectivity is essential for opportunities in school, work, and life. Connecting changes everything, and we’re grateful to work with Wisconsin Literacy to help expand the digital literacy resources individuals need to advance in our online world.”
In Wisconsin, it’s estimated that 10% of households don’t have access to the internet or connected devices needed to fully participate in the online world, an issue known as the digital divide.
This effort is part of the AT&T Connected Learning® initiative to help address the digital divide through internet accessibility, affordability and safe adoption. AT&T is committing $5 billion to help 25 million people get and stay connected to high-speed internet by 2030.
Learn more at att.com/connectedlearning.
*About Wisconsin Literacy
Wisconsin Literacy is a nonprofit, statewide coalition of literacy agencies. We strengthen literacy statewide through expert trainings, personalized consultations, health literacy, workforce connections, and advocacy. Our mission is to change lives by strengthening literacy statewide. Our vision is to ensure all people in Wisconsin have the literacy skills to reach their full potential. We support member literacy agencies statewide and advocate for more resources throughout the field of literacy.
*About Philanthropy & Social Innovation at AT&T
We’re committed to advancing education, creating opportunities, strengthening communities, and improving lives. As part of our companywide commitment to address the digital divide, we launched AT&T Connected Learning® to invest in connectivity and technology, digital literacy, and education solutions to help today’s learners succeed inside and outside of the classroom. Since 2008 we’ve committed to programs that help millions of students across all 50 states, Washington D.C. and around the world, particularly those in underserved communities.
Photo by Richard Hurd
Madison Reading Project’s Community Book Drive Nearing Goal
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Dec. 5, 2024
MORE INFORMATION:
Rowan Childs, Rowan@madisonreadingproject.com, (608) 347-79790
Emily Wills, @madisonreadingproject.com, (773) 318-6784
Madison Reading Project’s Community Book Drive Nearing Goal
DANE COUNTY – Madison Reading Project is asking for your support this holiday giving season to reach its goal of $110,000 during its fifth annual Community Book Drive!.
“We’re committed to growing book ownership for children in Southern Wisconsin by giving away hundreds of new books this holiday season,” says Rowan Childs, Madison Reading Project’s Co-Executive Director and Founder. “Your monetary donations help contribute to our larger goal of year-round book-giving. And, we’re almost there!”
“Together, we’ll get new books that children want, many of whom have few books in their homes,” Childs adds. “We’re confident we’ll reach our donation goals. Everyone deserves that new book feeling, especially our children.”
Donations of books and cash for book buying stay here in the Dane County-area, going to numerous school districts, social workers, educators, and large toy and book-giving events such as Wisconsin State Journal’s Empty Stocking Club, Toys for Tots, Gifts for Christmas, and Santas Without Chimneys, ensuring that hundreds of children get a new book this month.
Local bookstores participating in Community Book Drive include Lake City Books, Mystery To Me, Leopold’s Books Bar Cafe, Room of One’s Own, Book Deal, and Books 4 School.
“Books may be donated online or at several of our bookseller partners across Dane County or at our Book Center, 1337 Greenway Cross, in Madison,” Childs adds. “Donations are cheerfully accepted throughout December.”
Visit Madison Reading Project’s website for more on the book drive, book suggestions, book-giving programs, or to make a monetary contribution: www.madisonreadingproject.com/communitybookdrive
Madison Reading Project is a nonprofit organization with a mission to connect the community with free books and literacy enrichment programs that ignite a love for reading.
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The annual Community Book Drive helps Madison Reading Project distribute books to children during the holiday season.
Photo by Richard Hurd
Endres Foundation Announces November 2024 Grants
Photo by Richard Hurd
One Community Bank Invests in Education: $5,000 Contribution to Monona Grove Education Foundation
December 2, 2024
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Ameilia Abraham
One Community Bank
608-838-3141
aabraham@onecommunity.bank
One Community Bank Invests in Education: $5,000 Contribution to Monona Grove Education Foundation
(December 2024) – Continuing its mission to invest in communities, One Community Bank is thrilled to announce a $5,000 donation match to the Monona Grove Education Foundation (MGEF) CARES Campaign. For any donations made in the month of December, OCB will match up to $5,000. The CARES Campaign centers on children, awareness, resources, education, and stability. Funds raised through this annual initiative will directly support teachers and students within the Monona Grove School District, fostering a stronger and more resilient educational community.
“This is an incredible opportunity to support and invest in the communities of Cottage Grove and Monona,” said Dan Carey, Chief Commercial Officer at One Community Bank. “We are thrilled to contribute to the CARES Campaign and help create lasting benefits for students, teachers, and families. We look forward to this being just the beginning of a strong and impactful partnership with the Monona Grove Education Foundation and the Monona Grove School District, working together to build a brighter future for our community.”
The Monona Grove Education Foundation provides opportunities in and out of the classroom to better educate and prepare students for life after graduation. MGEF runs five different programs within the school district, including the Pay It Forward Campaign, Monona Grove Weekend Snack Pack Program, Summer Scholarship Program, MGEF Teacher Innovation Grants, and the Rundle Starting Line Fund.
“We extend our heartfelt gratitude to One Community Bank for their generous investment in MGEF,” said Jason McCutchin, President of the Monona Grove Education Foundation. “Their contribution to the CARES Campaign will make a significant, positive impact on our students, adding an extra layer of excitement and support to their educational journey.”
One Community Bank is one of the largest community banks in south central Wisconsin. The locally owned bank has 16 bank locations and $2.2 billion in assets. It provides both personal and business banking solutions, with an intense focus on serving clients, supporting colleagues, and investing in its communities. Six years in a row named one of Madison’s best places to work, One Community Bank serves the communities of Oregon, McFarland, Cottage Grove, Waunakee, Stoughton, Sun Prairie, Middleton, Adams, Oxford, Grand Marsh, Hillsboro, La Farge, Readstown, Wonewoc, and Union Center. Member FDIC.