Orange City’s Youth Advisory Council Invites You To Read In The Park

Orange City’s Youth Advisory Council has partnered with the Village Improvement Association Orange City Woman’s Club to organize Reading in the Park which will take place at Mill Lake Park on March 4, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Reading in the Park is a product of the Youth Advisory Council’s goal to reach the minds of the young children and spark their interest in reading in a hope that it will positively affect them throughout the rest of their lives. The event will offer fun ways for kids to explore and grow their love of reading with literacy focused crafts and activities, free books, story time, vendors and much more.

“This event isn’t just about giving away books or running a donation drive, it’s about getting involved on a deeper level,” Youth Advisory Council Member Rylee Amodeo says.  “We want kids to come, have fun, and create a lasting memory that makes reading fun and interesting.”

The Council’s goal is also to support ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) families. Besides sparking an interest in reading, which is linked to higher academic achievement, reduced grade retention and enhanced productivity in life, key vendors will be at the event with resources beneficial to ALICE families. Vendors include the Early Learning Coalition of Flagler and Volusia, the United Way, Volusia County Library, the Orange City Elementary Parent Teacher Association and other community organizations. 

"The women of the Village Improvement Association Orange City Woman’s Club are inspired by the Youth Advisory Council’s efforts to create such a meaningful project,” says Club President Kim Reading.  “We are excited about this campaign because it will give kids a chance to fall in love with reading! As a member of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs, the club is a longtime advocate for literacy and learning in our community. The GFWC is credited with establishing 75% of America’s public libraries. We know that literacy opens doors for economic mobility and is one of the single greatest predictors of a person’s ability to succeed.”

This event is funded through a grant received from the United Way Social Innovation Fund. Books were donated from the Early Learning Coalition of Flagler and Volusia along with other organizations and members of the community.  If you would like to donate books or become a community sponsor, please visit the Village Improvement Association Orange City Woman’s Club website.

For more information about the event, click here.