[North Charleston, SC]— Trident United Way’s 8th Annual Read Across America Day, held on March 7, 2025, brought together 68 volunteers to read to over 120 classrooms, reaching over 3000 Tri-County elementary school students in just one day. Volunteers visited a variety of local schools, engaging with children from Child Development through 5th grade, helping spark a love for reading and boosting literacy skills.
The day was a part of Trident United Way’s ongoing commitment to early childhood education. Volunteers read aloud to students in classrooms across the Tri-County area, underscoring the importance of early literacy in a child’s educational journey.
“Read Across America Day is such an important opportunity to engage students and spark their curiosity about the world through books,” said Katherine Torbush, Director of Strategic Volunteer Engagement at Trident United Way. “Early exposure to reading is transformative. By fostering a love for reading in our youth, we’re not only helping them succeed academically but also building essential skills for their future. It’s inspiring to see the excitement on the students’ faces as they discover new worlds through stories, and we’re proud to play a role in making that happen. This event would not be possible without the dedication and enthusiasm of our volunteers, whose support truly makes a difference in shaping these students’ lives.”
We would also like to extend a special thank you to our generous sponsors, Chernoff Newman and The Post and Courier, whose support made this event possible and contributed to its ongoing impact.
Research underscores the importance of early literacy, which plays a key role in enhancing a child’s vocabulary, critical thinking and problem-solving abilities. Strong literacy skills are fundamental to academic achievement and personal growth, helping students become confident learners and effective communicators. Beyond academics, reading also fosters creativity, empathy and a lifelong passion for learning, all of which contribute to future success.
Trident United Way is committed to strengthening literacy across the Tri-County region. This year’s Read Across America Day was made possible thanks to the dedication of volunteers, teachers and educators who are instrumental in inspiring the next generation of readers.
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About Trident United Way
Trident United Way has been a catalyst for measurable community transformation in education, financial stability and health in Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester Counties.
Trident United Way has a proud history of developing community-wide initiatives, including partnering with dozens of local nonprofit organizations, leading the creation of our community’s 211 Information and Referral Helpline and establishing the Berkeley and Dorchester County Resource Connection Centers.