Families and teachers crowd the event with bags, boxes, and carts searching for books
Thousands of books were on offer for the taking in Lorton as the Federation of Teachers distributed reading materials to kids, families and educators during its “Reading Opens the World” national literacy campaign. The national teachers’ union, in partnership with the nonprofit organization First Book, is spreading the joy of reading by providing millions of free books across the nation to students and families for home libraries, and to educators and school staff for classroom collections.
The latest event, held at Lorton Community Center on March 14, is the third annual event held at the Center. It included an opportunity to meander through the center’s gym stacked with books of a wide variety of genres and reading levels. The book acquisition experience was heightened with complementary snack food, music, arts and crafts, and a limited number of LEGO brick box sets.
Representatives of the Fairfax chapter of the League of Women’s Voters also had a table to provide information and answer voting questions, including about the March 6 to April 21 vote on the proposed Virginia Constitutional amendment on redistricting.
National Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten traveled from New York to join local Fairfax County AFT president, Emily VanDerhoff, and county supervisors and school board members, at the Lorton event to speak of the importance of reading skills.
Mount Vernon school board member Mateo Dunne spoke to thank the union “for all you are doing to lift up the community with reading.”
Founded in 1992, First Book is a nonprofit which recognizes that education transforms lives. Their mission is to “build a world where all children have access to a quality education.”
Photos by Susan Laume/The Connection
Several readers can’t wait to begin their reads
Eight-year-old Ella Michaelsen of Springfield, reading at the event, said the “Pizza and Taco” series are her favorite books.
Carter Bacon, 2, and brother Oliver, 5, of Burke, show off some of their book selections, but Oliver was happiest about the boxed LEGO set he scored