For Reading Day, a Lifelong North Texas Educator Returns to School Where She Began Her Career

This year’s United Way Reading Day presented by Atmos Energy will be bigger and more impactful than ever before—and we don’t say that lightly. On March 1, more than 1,000 volunteers will visit 20,000 students across 42 school campuses to inspire and change the lives of our next generation of leaders.
We’ve called on, and are still calling on, neighbors from all walks of life to make the big day an event to remember.
One person who answered our call was Dr. Harryette Ehrhardt, who spotted our call for volunteers in The Dallas Morning News. We’re head over heels to welcome her as a reader.
“The opportunity to read to children is a pleasure for me,” Dr. Ehrhardt says. I looked at the schools and amazingly the school where I taught first grade was available.”
“Many of us are looking for ways that we can make a contribution, and this is one of those,” she continues.
It’s fun to read to children. Young children are like sponges—they just soak up everything. You have the opportunity to actually watch children learn while you’re reading to them, which is an exciting experience.
Four Ways to Support Early Literacy Right Here in North Texas
- Register to volunteer. Volunteer for Reading Day on March 1, and help spark a love of reading that could last a lifetime. Sign up to read by February 25.
- Customize a Reading Day bookmark. Share the magic of books by creating your own personalized bookmark to give to a lucky student.
- Donate books. This year, we’re giving books to participating children to inspire early reading. Click our Amazon wish list to purchase books to donate.
- Invest in Once Upon a Month. A gift of just $6/month will provide two young children with a free book each month for an entire year.
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Register to Volunteer for United Way Reading Day
Change lives with Dr. Harryette Ehrhardt by encouraging early literacy on March 1.