Charlotte County Reads will host the Reading Buddies Luncheon on Monday, August 25 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Life Celebration Center of Punta Gorda. The event honors the dedicated volunteers who mentor students through the Reading Buddies program, a cornerstone of the Charlotte County Reads initiative.
Funded by United Way of Charlotte County, Charlotte County Reads is a community collaboration that includes Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Sun Coast, Boys & Girls Clubs of Charlotte County, the SKY Family YMCA, and Charlotte County Public Schools. The initiative is focused on improving early literacy by matching young readers with trained mentors and placing them in high-quality after-school environments.
Reading Buddies volunteers work one-on-one with students to build reading confidence, fluency, and enthusiasm. Data tracking and progress monitoring from Charlotte County Public Schools help ensure students are supported on their path to reading at grade level.
The luncheon will feature guest speakers including Charlotte County Schools Superintendent Mark Vianello, United Way of Charlotte County’s Angie Mathiessen, and Charlotte County School Board Member Kim Amontree, who is also a sponsor of the event. The program includes a Volunteer of the Year Award presentation and expressions of appreciation for the vital role volunteers play in supporting literacy and academic success.
Tickets are $40 and available online. For more information, visit Charlotte County Reads.
