Read Around the World is family affair

Kiwanis International’s annual literacy effort, Read Around the World (RAW), is just around the corner, scheduled for February 1 through March 3.

For the occasion, Kiwanis-family clubs worldwide are encouraged to plan projects that promote and encourage literacy. That’s a broad range that includes everything from reading to children to helping out at a library.

Additional ideas, a list of age-appropriate books, bookmarks, posters, and more are available in Kiwanis literature. From there, choose “service” from the pull-down menu and scroll down to Read Around the World items.

Key Club, which already is working on literacy through its Read & Lead Winter Season of Service project, also helps with RAW. This past year, for example, the Key Club of Wetumka, Oklahoma, co-hosted its school’s annual book fair.

“There was something for everyone to help out with,” says Key Club member Naomi Bremer. “Artsy-crafty types got to figure out how to arrange all the materials, members who like to work with their hands set up the displays, and others hung posters. Almost all of Wetumka’s 29 members participated with gusto, pitching in and helping out whenever and wherever they could.

“During the week of service, our Key Clubbers learned one of the most valuable lessons in life: how to have fun while fulfilling the needs of others—and helping others to have as much fun as possible along the way too.”