According to Readers 2 Leaders President and CEO Norma Nelson,
Readers 2 Leaders looks forward to its annual fundraising event, Lanes 2 Literacy, each year. An evening usually spent among literacy advocates and bowling pins, the event provides a key point of connection and opportunity between Readers 2 Leaders and our generous supporters. We first rescheduled the event from Thursday, April 2, to Thursday, October 1, but as the COVID-19 pandemic continues, we have made the difficult decision to cancel Lanes 2 Literacy 2020 in the interest of our attendees’ safety during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Addressing education inequities in the Dallas area, Readers 2 Leaders has developed the reading skills of underserved elementary students since 2011. Readers 2 Leaders partnered with six elementary schools and numerous partner organizations to provide high-quality, high-dosage tutoring services to more than 500 students in the past year.
The extraordinary circumstances of the past few months have encouraged Readers 2 Leaders to respond with flexible and creative programs that bring literacy learning into families’ homes! Although we suspended our in-person after- and in-school tutoring programs, we have pivoted to Read, Learn, Go!, an interactive virtual learning program led by our passionate instructors. Our digital show, available on Facebook and YouTube, has attracted more than 2000 viewers. Our virtual summer camp is providing small group and individualized reading support for 45 students.
We look forward to applying the same innovation to fundraising in the wake of Lanes 2 Literacy’s cancellation. Typically, around 250 guests attend the event in support of our tutoring programs. Despite its cancellation, however, our sponsors have been generous enough to reassign their gifts as donations to support our ongoing program needs.
While bowling may be limited in coming months, the incredible support Readers 2 Leaders has received throughout COVID-19 assures us that the impact of our programs and generosity of our community will continue.
For more information about Readers 2 Leaders or to donate, please visit our website: https://www.readers2leaders.org/