By Smith Francois, with in-house report

The Linden Community Center played host to many children and parents on Saturday, April 26, 2025, as the North Linden Area Commission Education Committee held its first Linden Read-A-Thon event with a strong focus on building a culture of reading at home for at least 20 minutes daily.

“We are asking parents to read with their children for 20 minutes per day, every day. When parents make the commitment to read with their children daily for 20 minutes, their children will be exposed to 1.8 million words per year, said North Linden Area Commission Education Committee Chair Tracy Robinson.

“Between the ages of 0-5, the children’s brain is like a sponge. All of these children can blossom into excellent readers.”

On the next step, Tracy Robinson said, “it is engaging Linden families to register their children for the Summer Reading program at the library. We are just beginning. There is a lot of work to do.”

“The success is measured by increased children’s literacy scores. This is not an episodic event. We will continue to inspire parents and children with our positive literacy message.”

Adults, parents and children read different books to the participants at the Read-A-Thon with sponsors providing free books, food and drinks.

Key initiatives include expanding the “Dads with Donuts” literacy program, partnering with local churches, and promoting literacy through public events like the next Read-A-Thon.

Weekly meetings and training sessions, including Wednesdays at 6 p.m. at New Salem Church, help drive this mission forward.

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