United Way of Portage County’s Learn for Life will heat up the summer again with its second annual Summer Sizzle Children’s Reading Series.

Beginning Thursday, June 9, local “celebrities” will read to children attending the reading event, and the business sponsor will give a book to each child in attendance. The first reading will be held at the Stevens Point Area YMCA soccer field in Stevens Point and will feature Dave Marten of Marten Machining, which is sponsoring the event.

“Summer Sizzle reading events are great for both children and their parents,” said Laura Pfeil, United Way of Portage County Community Services manager. “They are a great way to enjoy the value of reading together.”

All events, which are geared to children ages 0 to 10, will include literacy-related activities.

Other Summer Sizzle events include:

* Saturday, June 25, at Mead Park (KASH Park), 1201 W. Whitney St., Stevens Point, at 10 a.m. Sponsored by United Way of Portage County’s Ignite Leadership Network.

* Thursday, June 30, at Little Plover River Park, 1510 Hoover Ave., Plover, at 10 a.m. Sponsored by Simplicity Credit Union.

* Thursday, July 14, at Iverson Park, 4201 State Road 66, Stevens Point, at 10 a.m. Sponsored by CoVantage Credit Union.

* Thursday, July 28, at Nelson Park, 151 Mill St., Amherst, at 10 a.m. Sponsored by H.O. Wolding.

* Thursday, Aug. 4, at Okray Park, 3431 Evergreen Drive, Plover, at 10 a.m. Sponsored by Heather Wynne and Associated Bank.

* Saturday, Aug. 13, at Moose Lodge (Zenoff Park), 1025 Second St. N., Stevens Point, at 2 p.m. Sponsored by The Worth Co.

* Thursday, Aug. 25, at Bukolt Park, 100 Bukolt Ave., Stevens Point, at 10 a.m. Sponsored by Marten Machining.

Learn for Life recently wrapped up a successful school year. During the 2015-16 school year, more than 200 second- and third-grade students identified as needing additional reading help at 14 schools in Portage County received one-on-one weekly tutoring support from trained volunteers.

Pfeil said tutors are being recruited for the 2016-17 school year.

More information about the Summer Sizzle Children’s Reading Series or about becoming a tutor for the summer school program is available by calling 715-341-6740, emailing [email protected] or visiting www.unitedwaypoco.org/learnforlife.