Mrs. Laura Bush visited Ms. Wallace’s first grade class at J.N. Ervin Elementary School in Dallas today as a part of United Way Reading Day, aimed at encouraging early literacy by reading to young students.
As the Honorary Reading Day Chair, Mrs. Bush read Our Great Big Backyard, which she authored with her daughter, Jenna Bush Hager.
“I am thrilled to join the nearly 1,200 volunteers reading in classrooms as part of United Way’s Reading Day,” said Mrs. Bush. “By reading to students in your communities, you can inspire a lifelong love of reading. I am grateful that United Way of Metropolitan Dallas is highlighting the importance of early childhood literacy in my home community, and I encourage all Americans to be a part of this special day.”
Mrs. Bush is a vocal advocate for early reading initiatives. As First Lady of Texas and later First Lady of the United States, Mrs. Bush created and developed multiple initiatives and programs aimed at equipping children with fundamental skills to become lifelong learners.
The Laura Bush Foundation for America’s Libraries has also awarded a grant to Ervin Elementary School. The Laura Bush Foundation provides grants to low-income schools, allowing them to expand, update, and diversify their book and print collections.
As the inaugural event of the Aspire United Volunteer Series, presented by Texas Instruments, 1,200 community volunteers engaged and inspire over 20,000 young students across 42 area campuses on Friday, March 1. During United Way Reading Day, presented by Atmos Energy, Honorary Reading Day Chair Mrs. Laura Bush led volunteers to encourage early literacy.
Photos by Grant Miller for the George W. Bush Presidential Center.
