Ride for Reading was established ten years ago in Nashville Tennessee. The non-profit's stated goal is to donate books to children in low-income areas and promote literacy. Combined with a big push in May during bike month, ride for reading takes place in dozens of cities across the country.
Closer to home, with Ride for Reading's goal of delivering books by bikes it only makes sense that Northside neighborsWordPlay Cincy and Spun Bikes would team up to make this happen right here in the Queen City. WordPlay Cincy nurtures young participants from all backgrounds through personal discovery and academic skill-building programs with reading, writing and connecting at their core.
Which brings us to the Sixth Annual Ride for Reading Cincinnati. This has been one of the most soul-filling things in which I've participated. Low-income schools have around 1 book for every 300 students. Ride for Reading's goal is to deliver 10 books to each child to keep as their own. It's amazing to see the joy these kids have when we show up, and the payoff for me is doing good in my city while doing an activity I enjoy. Not to mention the feels from high fiving 500 kids riding through a parking lot filled with books.
This year roughly 70 or so riders delivered over 5,000 books to The Academy of World Languages in Evanston.
If you love bikes, books, and kids join the ride next year.
You don't need anything special equipment to haul books, a rack, paniers, some people used backpacks. There were a couple interesting solutions to getting the books delivered however.
Libby Hunter of
WordPlay Cincy and Judi LoPresti of
Spun Bikes have literaly changed the lives of thousands of kids over the last six years.
High fiving 540 kids. Its more amazing, and louder, than you could ever imagine.
Judi and the kids checking out their new books.
image provided by Judi LoPresti[where: 45202] best place to learn how to live downtown cincinnati ohio the ethos of Cincinnati
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