Make A Difference Day: Share Your Louisville Story
Fact: Sixty-five percent of fourth graders in Kentucky do not read proficiently.
While there is no quick fix or one-size-fits-all approach to righting this startling statistic, it hasbeen proven that students score higher in reading proficiency when they’re surrounded by books and other reading materials, especially at home. Cultivating an interest in reading, writing, and lifelong learning has long been the bones of NCFL’s mission — so we’re joining our neighbors and Louisville media mainstays The Courier-Journal, WHAS11, and Louisville Free Public Library to Share a Story for this year’s Make A Difference Day.
On October 25, millions of volunteers across the
nation will unite with a common mission – to improve the lives of others. For more than 20 years, USA WEEKEND Magazine, in collaboration with Points of Light, has brought you Make A Difference Day, the largest national day of community service.
Similar to last year, we will be collecting books in Better World Books bins across the city, which we will later disseminate to both adults and children who attend Make A Difference Day events around Kentuckiana. This year, we’ve also added a writing contest to help bridge the important connection between reading and writing. By asking children and young adults to “Share a Louisville Story,” through their words and illustrations, we hope to instill a sense of place and spark an interest in storytelling and reading more stories.
The writing-contest winners will be revealed — and invited to read aloud their submissions — on October 25 at Louisville Free Public Library locations around Louisville.
Visit www.courier-journal.com/shareastory for more details about rules, prizes, and how to submit your Louisville story. The contest’s deadline is September 12. For now, here is glimpse at what we and our volunteers will be up to in the coming weeks:
Share a Story Writing Contest
(now – September 12)
Students kindergarten through 12th grade are invited to submit stories about Louisville and Southern Indiana. Entries will be judged on adherence to theme, creative expression, storytelling, language use, and, in the case of K-2, illustrations. $500 in prizes will be awarded in four age groups: K–2, 3–5, 6–8, and 9–12 grades.
Share a Story Book Drive
(September 1 – October 15)
New or gently-used books for ages 18 and under collected at area drop sites for distribution on Make A Difference Day.
Make A Difference Day (Saturday, October 25, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.)
Expect local celebrity book readings, activities, free books for children and families, and other exciting surprises at the Main, Southwest, Newburg, and Bon Air LFPL locations.