Realtors Join With Pasadena Schools to Promote Summer Reading

(left to right) Bia Kasten of Podley Properties; Lake Payne of Coldwell Banker; Marieclaire Moulet of Dilbeck; April Snow Kass of Compass; Marilyn Simon of Berkshire Hathaway; Connie Sutherland and Carrie Benuska of John Aaroe Group. – Courtesy photo / Pasadena Unified School District

Local realtors have joined with the Pasadena Unified School District and the Pasadena Educational Foundation to donate more than 1,700 books to promote reading this summer. Every PUSD second grader received a book to read this summer. The book donation partners with the Pasadena Public Library’s 2017 Summer Reading program for kids, teens, and adults to encourage reading during the summer months. This is the second year that local realtors have donated books for Pasadena Unified second graders to read over the summer.

“Reading during the summer is important so that kids stay engaged in learning and exploring the world around them, and are ready for the new school year,” said Superintendent Brian McDonald. “I would like to thank local realtors and our community partners for encouraging students and families to read during the summer.”

Local realtors donated fiction and nonfiction books at second, third, and fourth grade reading levels. Each second grader selected a book from a variety of titles to read at home this summer.

“I am glad to partner with other realtors to promote the joy of reading among young children,” said realtor Carrie Benuska of John Aaroe Group, who leads the initiative. “Participating in the summer book donation and in Read Across Pasadena each spring demonstrates our commitment to working together in support of Pasadena-area families. I am thrilled to be part of it!”

The summer book donation is part of the Pasadena Educational Foundation’s realtor initiative that connects local realtors with Pasadena Unified schools. Local realtors also participate in the annual Read Across Pasadena event that brings elected, business, and community leaders to read to Pasadena Unified students each spring.

The summer book donation and Read Across Pasadena were inspired by Collaborate Pasadena, a coalition of public organizations, cities, and individuals who work together to make Pasadena, Altadena, and Sierra Madre places where children grow up in supportive environments that prepare them for success in school and in life.

Participating realtors in the summer book collection include John Aaroe Group, Berkshire Hathaway, Compass, Coldwell Banker, Deasy/Penner, Dilbeck, and Podley Properties.

Summer reading and Read Across Pasadena partners include the local realtor community, the Pasadena Educational Foundation, the Pasadena Public Library, Collaborate Pasadena, United Teachers of Pasadena, California School Employees Association, Reading Partners, and Reading is Fundamental of Southern California.

To sign up for the Pasadena Public Library’s Kids Summer Reading Program, visit cityofpasadena.libguides.com/summer-reading. Kids, teens, and their adults can sign up to log their progress and earn prizes through July 29, 2017.

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