Unlocking the Power of Literacy: IceHogs and United Way Team Up for a Brighter Future

In a groundbreaking partnership, the Rockford IceHogs and the United Way of Rock River Valley are joining forces to tackle a critical issue facing their community – child literacy. With a bold goal of increasing the percentage of third-graders reading at grade level from 32% to 75% by 2024, this dynamic duo is determined to transform the lives of young learners through the power of reading.

Empowering the Next Generation, One Page at a Time

Tackling the Literacy Crisis Head-On

The statistics are sobering – only 32% of children in the Rock River Valley community are reading at grade level by the end of third grade. This alarming reality has spurred the United Way and the IceHogs into action, driven by a shared conviction that every child deserves the opportunity to thrive. "That is just unacceptable to us," declares Julie Bosma, president and CEO of the United Way of Rock River Valley. "That is unacceptable for any child, for any community."Recognizing the far-reaching impact of literacy on a child's academic and personal success, the partners have set their sights on a lofty yet achievable goal: to increase the percentage of third-graders reading at grade level to 75% by 2024. This ambitious target reflects their unwavering commitment to transforming the educational landscape and empowering the next generation.

A Winning Partnership: IceHogs and United Way Join Forces

The partnership between the IceHogs and the United Way has been a year in the making, sparked by a shared vision and a deep understanding of the importance of early childhood literacy. "When they started telling us those statistics, we were on board, immediately with 'yes, how can we help?'" recalls Dave Costello, who handles community relations for the IceHogs.The collaboration has opened up new avenues for the United Way to reach parents and families who might not have otherwise been engaged in their literacy initiatives. "Partnering with the IceHogs has given us a new avenue to reach some parents who maybe we otherwise wouldn't have gotten to speak to," says Jessica Iasparro, director of community impact for the United Way of Rock River Valley.

Bringing Literacy to Life: United for Literacy Night

The centerpiece of this partnership is the "United for Literacy Night," scheduled for December 14th, which coincides with the IceHogs' annual Teddy Bear Toss event. This multifaceted celebration will feature games, interactive activities, and educational opportunities for both children and parents, all aimed at fostering a love of reading and empowering families to make literacy a priority."There will be a fundraising component to it as well," explains Costello. "Obviously, we want to build awareness. We want a lot of kids and families to come out that night, but we also want to raise some money for this great cause." During the game, IceHogs players will don specialty jerseys that will be auctioned off, with a portion of the proceeds going directly to the United Way's early literacy programs.

Reaching the Littlest Learners: Focusing on Birth to 5

The United Way's literacy initiative is laser-focused on the critical early years, from birth to age 5. "Our heavy lifting is really focusing on our littles; birth to 5," says Bosma. "We get more books in their hands, we are sending the message to the adults in their lives to be reading to them, even just a minimum of 20 minutes a day. That's all that they need to change the trajectory of their lives."Through the partnership, IceHogs players will visit local early childhood centers to read to young children, and the team's beloved mascot, Hammy Hog, will make appearances at literacy-focused events. Additionally, a book drive will be held to collect new and gently used books for distribution to families in need.

A Thriving Community Starts with Literacy

The IceHogs' commitment to this initiative extends beyond just the one-night event. "We know, we can't excel here at the IceHogs unless our community is thriving," says Costello. "If our community is educated, it can thrive."By investing in the literacy of their youngest residents, the IceHogs and the United Way are laying the foundation for a brighter future, where every child has the tools they need to succeed. As Bosma eloquently states, "That's all that they need to change the trajectory of their lives."