NEWS RELEASE
Contact:
Rodney Prunty
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
President
Phone: 262-898-2248
[email protected]
United Way hosts largest Day of Action
Racine, Wisconsin (June 17, 2016) – Approximately 275 people participated in United Way of Racine
County’s third annual Day of Action on June 17, 2016—the largest since its inception in 2014. This year’s
Day of Action focused on engaging corporate and community volunteers in support of United Way of Racine
County’s work in early childhood education.
Volunteers created 463 literacy kits that will be distributed to new registrants of the United Way Imagination
Library program. Imagination Library was created in 1996 by famed country singer Dolly Parton to foster a
love of reading in children. The program provides free, age-appropriate books through the mail each month
for all Racine County children birth through age five. Each literacy kit includes the first book children receive
when enrolled in Imagination Library, The Little Engine That Could, along with related activities designed to
make reading interactive and enjoyable for young children.
Eight locations throughout the county hosted volunteers to create the kits. Sites included:

The Coffee House at Chestnut & Pine (492 N. Pine Street)

United Way of Racine County offices (2000 Domanik Drive)

CNH Industrial (5729 Washington Avenue)

Eaton Cooper Power Systems (11131 Adams Road)

Educators Credit Union (1326 Willow Road)

Johnson Outdoors (555 Main Street)

Modine Manufacturing (1500 DeKoven)

Racine County (14200 Washington Avenue)
Volunteers gave positive feedback on their experience with Day of Action. Vanessa Abejuela-Matt, DO,
Aurora Health Center shared, “I participated today to support educational efforts for our community’s young
children. I know how important reading is for the long term. Even though I am a doctor, I need to be able to
read before I can do my job.” Donna Guillette, volunteered at Johnson Outdoors and stated, “Johnson
Outdoors loves helping our kids. They are so important to the success of the community. If children can’t
read and write, they can’t learn. It’s important that they read at home and that they have adults working with
them to be successful at school.”
United Way and Imagination Library are providing access to quality books and laying a solid foundation for
education. Decades of research has shown that having books in the home helps children acquire reading
skills. A child who hails from a home with 25 books will, on average, complete two more years of school than
would a child from a home without any books at all (An Impact Analysis: Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in
Tennessee, 2004 – 2014). United Way president Rodney Prunty stated, “We envision every child being able
to reach his or her full potential in order to build an educated workforce for Racine County and create a
sustainable community for the long term. We will continue to bring people together in support of these
efforts.”
United Way of Racine County’s Day of Action is part of a global Day of Action, typically held on or around
June 21, the longest day of the year. The event galvanizes thousands of volunteers across the world to make
a difference in their own communities. Last year, nearly 388 United Ways in 21 countries mobilized
volunteers for projects focused on education, income and health.
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About United Way of Racine County
United Way of Racine County advances the common good by focusing on education, income and health: the
building blocks for a good life. United Way funds more than 50 programs and special projects, while also
developing and facilitating systems-wide initiatives, to create long-lasting change. United Way works in
partnership with other individuals and organizations throughout Racine County who bring the passion,
resources and expertise to address the community’s most critical issues. For more information, visit
www.unitedwayracine.org or call 262-898-2240.