Governor Chafee and Mayor Taveras join Children’s Friend to CELEBRATE “DROP EVERYTHING AND READ DAY”
Event is part of the National Education Association’s “Read Across America Day”

PROVIDENCE, RI – March 2, 2011– Governor Lincoln Chafee and Providence Mayor Angel Taveras led a distinguished group of government, business and education leaders who came to Children’s Friend classrooms today to read to students, as part of Drop Everything and Read Day.  Children’s Friend, a leading provider of child welfare, family support, mental health, and child development services, organized this event as part of the National Education Association’s Read Across America Day.

“Instilling a love of reading in children at an early age is a critical part of their development and their ability to succeed in school.   We are honored to have the Governor, Mayor and dozens of other leaders from our community spend time with children in our classrooms and share their love of books and learning with them,” said David Caprio, President and Chief Executive Officer of Children’s Friend.

“Read Across America Day is an important reminder that we must always be encouraging our young people to expand their horizons through the joy of reading,” Governor Chafee said. “This special day brings attention and focus to what we should be doing each and every day – promoting literacy among the children of our state and our country.”

This year marks the thirteenth annual Read Across America Day, which is held annually on Dr. Seuss’ birthday to honor the author who passionately shared the love and enjoyment of learning with children.

“I am very pleased to have the opportunity to celebrate Read Across America Day with students in Providence, and thank Children’s Friend for organizing this important event,” said Mayor Taveras.  “As a Head Start graduate, I know that reading with children and encouraging them to read on their own is one of the most important things we can do to put them on course to excel in school and achieve their dreams.”