March is Reading Awareness Month, and the Macon-Bibb County Parks and Recreation Department and Middle Georgia Regional Library are hosting ‘Reading Rocks,” a series of events aimed at getting children excited about reading and providing them access to books.
At each of the events local volunteers, college athletes, doctors, lawyers, artists, business men and women, police officers, and fire fighters will read to children and encourage them to visit their local libraries. Already confirmed to read are the Bibb County Sherriff’s Office members of Mercer University’s Soccer Team and Cheer and Dance Team, the Women’s Association from Middle GA State University, military recruitment officers, , and Dominant Divaz United (a local social and community organization). The Middle Georgia Regional Library will be on hand to sign up children and their families for a library card, and to provide literacy information to parents.
“Reading is the core skill every child needs to be successful in school and life,” says Dominique Lewis. “We want them to hear from the successful people all around them just how important reading has been in their lives.”
March 1 * 6:00-7:30 p.m.
North Macon Recreation Center * 815 North Macon Park Drive
March 9 * 6:00-7:30 p.m.
East Macon Recreation Center * 3326 Ocmulgee E Blvd
March 17 * 6:00-7:30 p.m.
LH Williams Community Center * 325 Pursley St
March 22 * 6:00-7:30 p.m.
Rosa Jackson Recreation Center * 1211 Maynard St
March 30 * 6:00-7:30 p.m.
Bloomfield Recreation Center * 4115 Lions Place
The Recreation Department’s Mission is “Building communities through people, parks, and programs,” and in recent months, Reggie Moore, the Department’s Director, has challenged his staff to be innovative with its programming and outreach.
“The idea to host more than traditional recreation activities is understood throughout our department,” says Lewis. “We are looking for new ways to support our neighborhoods and specifically all children in any way they need.”
Helping provide these types of events and opportunities is part of Safe Neighborhoods & Safe Communities Focus Area of Macon-Bibb’s Forward Together Strategic Plan. In that Area, Macon-Bibb identifies projects and efforts that provide for citizen education and engagement, “all in an effort to create safe and enduring communities.”
