Rutherford County, Read to Succeed mark 22 years of Reading in Schools Day as volunteers are thanked

Caitlin Benavidez, the district's library specialist for the Rutherford County School System, said the district and Read to Succeed "just celebrated our partnership of 22 years celebrating Reading in Schools Day." The remarks opened a brief program highlighting volunteer readers and the organizations' goal of improving literacy access across the county.

Jolene Radnati of Read to Succeed described the event model and called for volunteers from across and beyond Rutherford County. "It's my favorite day of the year, Reading in Schools Day," Radnati said, explaining that community members sign up to read in classrooms to show students the community supports their literacy journeys. She added, "We put books in the hands, hearts, and minds of the children and the adults in our community, to have a more literate society."

Benavidez thanked the many groups who participate each year — "parents and firefighters and policemen and I've seen animals" — and expressed appreciation to Read to Succeed for the long-standing partnership. The speakers emphasized volunteer involvement as the primary mechanism for the program and encouraged community members to continue taking part in future Reading in Schools Day events.

No formal votes, motions, or policy actions were announced during the remarks; the session served to recognize the partnership, describe program goals, and solicit continued volunteer engagement.