United Way Read for the Record

October 24, 2024 – United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut, Hartford Public Schools, Hartford Public Library, East Hartford Public Schools and Consolidated School District of New Britain celebrated reading and diversity during Read for the Record today.

Jumpstart’s Read for the Record is the world’s largest shared reading experience. More than two million readers and thousands of classrooms, libraries and communities come together annually to celebrate early literacy.

Locally, more than 150 volunteers read the book “Piper Chen Sings” by Grammy winner and Tony-nominated actress Phillipa Soo, Maris Pasquale Doran and illustrator Qin Leng. This book tells the story about a young girl who loves to express herself through singing but is struck with self-doubt and nervousness when asked to perform a solo in front of an audience. Nearly 4,000 third grade students across Hartford, East Hartford and New Britain enjoyed the story time and a related activity in their classrooms. This year American Eagle Financial Credit Union and the Rotary Club of New Britain-Berlin were the official book sponsors for Read for the Record.

Read for the Record is one way that United Way, along with our partners, highlights the importance of child literacy and helps ensure all students can read proficiently by the start of fourth grade – a key indicator for their future success.