March 24, 2026
Read Across America
Friends Bring the Joy of Reading to Valley View Elementary
Literacy is one of the cornerstones of our work. A child who grows up connected to reading has a stronger foundation for everything that follows, from school to career to life. So when Read Across America comes around each year, our Friends are eager to get involved.
This year, Marbella, Belinda, and Q each made their way to Valley View Elementary, stepping into classrooms with books in hand and plenty of energy to match the kids who were waiting for them. Belinda was moved by how much of the community showed up that morning, including retired teachers and local police officers. "It was especially heartwarming to see the excitement in some familiar faces when we entered their classroom, and to see their eyes light up," she reflected.
Q came dressed as The Cat in the Hat, which may explain why every single class made the same request. Green Eggs and Ham, please, and thank you! It was a good reminder, Q said afterward, that even in a world full of screens, kids are still captivated by a great story. Classic books like Dr. Seuss have a way of connecting generations.
For Marbella, the day carried something personal. Literacy was something she struggled with growing up, and she walked in knowing exactly how much a single moment of inspiration can mean for a child who is still finding their footing. "Anything could inspire a reading spark," she said.
Marbella, Belinda, and Q left Valley View having given something real to the kids in those classrooms and to the community that showed up alongside them. That is what our Friends do every day, and Read Across America is just one of the ways that commitment shows up in the world.