Following a strong turnout at the inaugural event a year ago in Turlock, the Reading Extravaganza returns to the Pitman High School campus next weekend to once again promote literacy and share the love of reading with members of the local community.
Hosted by the Fresno-based nonprofit Reading Heart in partnership with the Turlock Unified School District, the Reading Extravaganza will take place from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Sept. 7. The event is free to all community members and is similar to last year’s festivities, where all participants received free bags of books and school supplies.
In addition to reading, there will be music, food, games, mascots and other entertainment, as well as sales and information booths.
Sponsors for this year’s event include Amazon MCE1 warehouse in Turlock, City of Turlock Police Department, Turlock Sports Park, Aspiranet Turlock, Turlock Costco, Raising Canes, Lays, Starbucks, Burner Custom Designs and Over Color Design and Prints.
The Reading Heart organization was founded in 2014 by 17-year-old Danay Ferguson, when she was just eight years old. She was inspired by visiting children in local hospitals who had little to do while contemplating their uncertain futures. The 501(c)(3) nonprofit’s mission is to spread the joy of reading and improve literacy skills in communities across the country, especially among children with limited access or in the hospital.
For more information about Reading Heart and to register for next Saturday’s event, visit their website at www.ReadingHeart.org.
