"Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not." From The Lorax, by Dr. Seuss
This powerful statement is a call to action as relevant today as it was when The Lorax was published more than forty years ago. Although we don't use those words, here at United Way Worldwide we've issued a call to action to help tackle a serious issue in the U.S. - the unacceptably high rate of high school dropouts. Unless we care a whole awful lot and tackle the root causes of kids not graduating - like young children who never learn to read well or who have no one to mentor them -- nothing is going to get better, it's not.
March 2nd marks the birthday of Dr. Seuss. Could there be a better day to celebrate the joys of childhood reading? And can you think of a better way to celebrate than to read to a child on that day?
Start the celebration early by pledging to become a volunteer reader, tutor or mentor, and on March 2nd join thousands of others for the National Education Association’s Read Across America. This national reading event takes place each year as a way to remember Dr. Seuss and to bring together kids and teens to celebrate reading in thousands of schools, libraries, and throughout the community. The Lorax is the featured book this year. In addition to the film adaptation of the book opening on March 2nd, there are plenty of resources available that will help volunteer readers bring the book to life.
On Dr. Seuss’ birthday, or on any day, find a way to read, tutor or mentor a child. Find a way to care a whole awful lot. And things will get better, just as they ought.