Celebrating the Joy of Reading: NJCDC’s Annual Read Across America Event

Watch our short video of the Read Across America Event

View our Read Across America Event Photos

Dr. Seuss’s birthday is on March 2nd, and every year, schools and nonprofits nationwide celebrate this occasion with Read Across America Day. A reading motivation and awareness event, Read Across America Day helps every child in every community discover the joy of literacy. At NJCDC, this annual event is especially meaningful, as it’s one of the many ways we nurture a love of reading in our youngest scholars.

On the morning of Friday, March 7, we welcomed more than 40 volunteers — community leaders, corporate supporters, and local residents — all eager to share their love of books with our students. Our readers included Paterson’s First Lady Farhanna Sayegh; The Honorable Lori Grifa of the Superior Court of the State of New Jersey; Passaic County Sheriff Thomas Adamo and members of the Sheriff’s Office; Passaic County Administrator Matthew P. Jordan, Esq.; Paterson Public Schools Supervisor of Early Childhood Programs Stephanie Wright; and NJCDC Trustees Bill Pascrell III and Carline Morrison.

They were joined by volunteers from Valley Bank, Railroad Construction Company, Spencer Savings Bank, Lowenstein Sandler, William Paterson University, the Paterson Police and Fire Departments, the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency, Berkeley College, and the Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park, as well as friends of NJCDC.

The day began at 9 a.m. at our Paterson Family Center (PFC) preschool, where volunteers read to all 105 three- and four-year-old students. NJCDC’s Founder and CEO Bob Guarasci welcomed our guests and thanked them for their commitment to fostering a love of literacy among Paterson’s youngest learners. Then, volunteers excitedly stepped into classrooms to read to the eager students.

At 10 a.m., the celebrations continued at the elementary school campus of the Community Charter School of Paterson (CCSP), the K-8 charter school NJCDC founded 16 years ago. Bob once again welcomed the readers before introducing CCSP’s Assistant School Leader Kenneth Ellerbee. Afterward, volunteers eagerly spread out to classrooms, where they read to hundreds of students in kindergarten through second grade.

At both schools, students and volunteers also enjoyed special visits from the Cat in the Hat and Sparky the Fire Dog from the Paterson Fire Department!

“The earlier children develop a love for reading, the stronger their foundation for lifelong learning and success,” said NJCDC's Founder and CEO, Bob Guarasci. “That old saying — ‘reading is fundamental’ — couldn’t be more true. It all starts here. The foundation for growth, opportunity, and education begins with moments like today, and you’re all a part of it.”

A huge thank you to all of our readers! With a book and a look and a story just right, you made our students’ day so bright!