For the City Times

STEVENS POINT – UnitedWay of Portage County’s Learn for Life will heat up the summer again with its fourth annual Summer Sizzle Children’s Reading Series.

Summer Sizzle kicked off in June, by having its first reading event on June 14 at the YMCA sponsored by Marten Machining. There were over 200 parents and children at the event. During the Summer Sizzle Reading Series events, local “celebrities” read to children attending, and the business sponsor will give a book to each child in attendance.

“Families are often looking for ways to keep their children interested in books throughout the summer,” said Kelly Skeels, United Way of Portage County Community Services Program Specialist. “This is a fun-filled event that shows children of many ages the ways that literacy is important.”

All events, which are geared to children ages 0 to 10, will include literacy-related activities, as well as snacks for all attendees.

Upcoming Summer Sizzle events include:

• Thursday, June 28, at AIG Back Lawn, Stevens Point, at 10 a.m. Sponsored by AIG.
• Thursday, July 12, at Nelson Park, Amherst, at 10 a.m. Sponsored by H.O. Wolding.
• Thursday, July 26, at Mead Park (KASH Park), Stevens Point, at 10 a.m. Sponsored by Ki Mobility.
• Thursday, Aug. 9, at Little Plover River Park, Plover, at 10 a.m. Sponsored by CoVantage Credit Union.
• Thursday, Aug. 23, at Iverson Park, Stevens Point, at 10 a.m. Sponsored by The Mattison Family.

Learn for Life recently wrapped up a successful school year. During the 2017-18 school year, 195 second- and third-grade students identified as needing additional reading help at 13 schools in Portage County received one-on-one weekly tutoring support from trained volunteers. Skeels said tutors are being recruited for the 2018-19 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.