Riders for Readers Starts Kids Rolling in the Right Direction

The National Institute of Education report of the Commission on Reading found that, "The single most important activity for building knowledge required for eventual success in reading is reading aloud to children." Literacy is the foundation for success in all academic disciplines and an essential ingredient for effective participation in responsible citizenship and community activities.

Brandermill Rotary Club of Midlothian, VA, has developed a unique community partnership of motorcyclists, public schools and not for profit organizations which enables elementary school students to establish their personal home libraries, increasing opportunities for children to read and for family members to read to children.

Riders for Readers has involved Bellwood, Summer Hill, Ruffin Road and Whitcomb Court Elementary Schools in the past year and is planning to conduct more events this year at other locations in the Richmond area. In addition to Rotary Club members, the events have been conducted with help from Communities in Schools (the nation's largest dropout prevention program operating in more than 2500 schools across the country), Scholastic Literacy Partners, Youth Matters, Richmond BMW Riders, James River Vintage Riders, Supreme Ladies, Boys II Men, Cobra I, Cycle Kings, Velocity Motorcycles and the donations and participation of dozens of enthusiastic motorcyclists and other supporters.

Research indicates a correlation between poverty and low academic achievement. Students attending some elementary schools are at greater risk of not attaining the academic success of their peers. In comparison tot he average, some of these schools serve three times as many single-parent families at or below the poverty level and three times as many students eligible for free or reduced cost lunches. In one third of the families served, parents have less than a high school education and are minimally involved in the educational process.

The response from the students, parents, teachers, and administrators has been dramatic. Knowing that someone outside their family or classroom would volunteer a few hours to bring free books has encouraged young readers to give thoughtful and often entertaining explanations for selecting certain books from the hundreds of titles brought to each event.

Funding for the first year of the program has come mainly from the Brandermill Rotary Club and Velocity, with help from the Richmond BMW Riders and the G.E. College Bound program. Additional funds have come from pocket change donated throughout the year at Velocity Motorcycles which coordinated and hosts the events and stores the books.

Participating riders and their passengers pay a ten dollar registration fee which offsets the cost of an event T-shirt and two books. Spectators and other supporters may buy shirts year round for fifteen dollars which pays for about seven books each.

Riders for Readers is looking for individual and corporate sponsors in order to involve more schools and bring books to more children this year. To learn how you can help and how your company can sponsor a Riders for Readers event, call or email Eric at Velocity 804-353-3456.