By Dennis Richmond, Jr.
The Reading Opens the World Event was a huge success. On Saturday, October 1st, from 12:00 PM EST to 5:00 PM EST, the Yonkers PAL saw everyone from Mayor Mike Spano to Legislator Christopher Johnson come out to support the function. Thousands of books were readily available to families from across the Yonkers area. Children were smiling, and children and caregivers were holding bags full of books.
I was excited to see two of my teacher mentors. Mr. Bryan Boyd and Mr. Gavin Curtis, both 4th-grade teachers, were at the event. Mr. Boyd assisted me with everything I needed and put a smile on my face.
Mr. Curtis was signing copies of one of his books. I was able to receive a signed copy. The music was perfect, children were running around, and caregivers had a chance to promote literacy. I was glad that my mother and I attended the event.
More on this event: American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten, and New York State United Teachers President Andy Pallotta, and the Yonkers Federation of Teachers President Samantha Rosado-Ciriello partnered to give away more than 40,000 free children’s books to educators and families in the Yonkers community during the Reading Opens the World Back to School Celebration & Book Giveaway event.
During the event, they were joined by State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart Cousins, NY State Senate Education Chair Shelley Mayer, and Yonkers City Mayor Mike Spano.
Parents and guardians were able to choose up to 5 free books per child for their home library. Educators and other school staff were able to choose up to 30 free books for their classrooms or educational programs.
The book distribution is part of AFT’s “Reading Opens the World” literacy initiative, which is a 12-month cross-country tour to distribute one million books.
Also in attendance were Assemblyman Nader Sayegh, Tasha Diaz, Yonkers City Council Majority Leader and Education Chair. Rev. Steve Lopez, president of Yonkers Public Schools Board Trustee and Frank Coleman, president of NAACP.
