LAKE CITY, SC (WBTW) – More than 100 men from all over Lake City visited Main Street Elementary School Friday to participate in the in the sixth annual “R.E.A.L. Men Read Day”.
The event began in 2011 with the mission to encourage literacy among students with the help of male mentors from throughout the community.
Organizer of the event Jerry State says volunteers range from fathers, to city officials, police officers, firemen, and seniors from Lake City High School.
While reading is the foundation of all learning State says the person reading to kids matters, too. So each year the mission of the annual event is to get more men involved and in front of kids, some who don’t have male role models.
Main Street Elementary principal Shemmicca Moore says the event is rewarding for her because it offer students the opportunity to engage with people in the community and because this is her first year being principal at the school.
“We’re very excited about the community out poor here. Being here at Main Street one thing that we are in dire need of is that community support and collaboration between home, school and the community. It excites us because I know that it empowers our students,” Moore.
One group of athletes from Lake City high school say it’s a great feeling and learning experience for students younger than them.
“Well we come here on Friday mornings to tell the kids good morning and so it’s just a good way to give back to the future of Lake City and the future kids who are going to be the future athletes and if they read their grades will be better so us reading inspires them to read,” said Josh Reynolds.
“It feels good to see the kids listen and pay attention to what you’re saying, it shows that they are willing to learn from you,” added Nigel Gaskins.
Jerry State says since the program started the school offers several mentoring opportunities.
State says the program is a plus because it helps build students’ self-esteem.
