by Laura Jacobs
WGRZ - Channel 2  

Read to Succeed Buffalo (RTSB) joined with tens of thousands across the nation in celebrating the joy of reading on March 1, the National Education Association's official Read Across America Day. Approximately 80 children participated in a Story Time event at the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library's East Delavan branch where they were treated to a reading of the Dr. Seuss favorite "The Cat in the Hat."

"It's never too early to share with young children and their families, the importance of creating a literacy-rich environment by regularly reading at home and within child care settings," said Anne Ryan, RTSB executive director. "Read Across America Day is just one way RTSB is advancing our mission to ensure that more children within the 14215 zip code have access to the best early learning environments possible by helping them prepare for a successful start in school and improving reading proficiency through the end of third grade."

RTSB also hosted Story Time at a Project CARE (Community Action for Reading Excellence) child care site in the 14215 zip code with volunteers from Canterbury Woods Senior Living Facility serving as readers.

Read Across America is an annual reading motivation and awareness program that calls for every child in every community to celebrate reading in observance of the birth of beloved children's author Dr. Seuss. Across the country, thousands of schools, libraries, and community centers participated by bringing together kids, teens, and books. For more information visit www.nea.org/readacross.

About Read to Succeed Buffalo

Read to Succeed Buffalo, Inc. (RTSB) began in 2007 in response to the staggering literacy deficits among the citizens of Buffalo. Today, RTSB sharpens its focus where it can have the most impact - increasing early childhood literacy and third grade reading scores by preparing children for Kindergarten and the early grades through improved exposure to developmentally appropriate, literacy-rich environments wherever they are, including child care, Head Start, public school, or home with a parent or caregiver. The non-profit organization works to develop models for improving literacy that create systemic change in how the Buffalo community prepares children for success in school and supports them once they enter public school. A funding collaborative that includes the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo, The Margaret L. Wendt Foundation and The John R. Oishei Foundation supports the organization. For more information, visitwww.readtosucceedbuffalo.org.