St. Thomas Aquinas football players and cheerleaders promote childhood literacy


(My Central Jersey)

The student-athletes (at Saint Thomas Aquinas High School) read aloud to children in seven classes across four grade levels as part of a community service project for The Marisa Tufaro Foundation, which has partnered with the Saint Thomas Aquinas and Saint Joseph of Metuchen football programs to promote early childhood literacy.

The border rivals, who are both currently state-ranked, are using their upcoming Oct. 19 football game, which takes place during National Book Month, and the days leading up to it to collect monetary donations for the purchase of new children’s books for New Jersey’s Reach Out and Read program.

The Marisa Tufaro Foundation will match at least a portion of the schools’ fundraising total to purchase the new books, which will be donated to medical providers in Middlesex County who dedicate their time and expertise to educate and encourage income-challenged parents to read aloud to their children.

As part of a well-child visit at 100 participating health clinics statewide, the Reach Out and Read program incorporates reading into pediatric care, providing children from birth to 5 years of age and their families with free books to keep and resources that promote early childhood literacy.

Read the full article at My Central Jersey here.

(Image credit: My Central Jersey)