The University of South Carolina knows how important it is for children to read.
And through the University’s literacy outreach program, Cocky’s Reading Express, Colonial Life employees recently read stories to 40 Boys and Girls Club of the Midlands students.
“This volunteer experience combined two of my passions – helping others and inspiring children,” said Jordan Louie, senior business specialist at Colonial Life. “And it gave us the opportunity to introduce them to a new resource for checking out books at the South Carolina Center for Children’s Books and Literacy.”
Third grade is a crucial milestone for childhood literacy, and children who can’t read proficiently by the end of third grade face educational challenges and beyond.
The volunteers read several stories while Cocky, USC’s mascot, acted them out. Then, each student took Cocky’s Oath of Reading – where they promise to read every day.
After they take the oath, the university gave each child a few free books.
“Reading is so important, and I hope we encouraged the kids to see the value in it,” Louie said.
