Children need more than just food and shelter. They need books as well and Hooked on Phonics is ready to help.
To celebrate its 20th anniversary, Hooked on Phonics launched HOP Across America, a 10-city mobile bus tour. The Baltimore-based company has also partnered with First Book, a national non-profit organization, and is donating more than $1 million worth of HOP reading programs to disadvantaged kids in ten cities.
“What?s great about First Book is that they are dedicated to providing impoverished families with literacy tools,” said Chip Paucek, CEO of Hooked on Phonics. “Reading is the basis of everything. It?s a huge part of your child?s life. If you expose them to reading at an early age, it?s a great thing for them. First Book is just an incredible organization.”
As part of the donation, HOP will honor a literacy leader from each city they visit.
“We?ve asked Mayor Sheila Dixon to name Baltimore?s literacy leader, and she chose Rebkha Atnafou, the director of the After School Institute in Baltimore,” said Lisa Kaslyn of Southard Communications and media contact for HOP.
The bus is virtually a learning and recreational exhibit, featuring interactive reading and play stations and product samples. Reading experts will be available to speak with parents, and First Book will provide information on local literacy programs for children. The bus stopped at the main branch of the Enoch Pratt Free Library on Friday.
“It?s an honor to be one of the stops on the tour. This bus stop is very significant to the citizens of Baltimore because the Hooked on Phonics company has strong connection to this city,” said Roswell Encina, Director of Communications at the Enoch Pratt Free Library. “It?s a product that supports and promotes literacy skills. And for the past 20 years, they have been successful in doing so.”
Paucek is father to a 5-year-old and a 2-year-old.
“I?m the president [of the company,] but I?m a father too, and of course I use our product. Let me tell you, when you experience the moment when your child has their first reading moment, it is such a massive deal,” Paucek said. “It?s remarkable how exciting it is, and what it does for a child?s confidence level. What?s better than hearing your child wanting to read?”
HOP Across America Tour Bus will appear at the Maryland State Fair at the Timonium Fairgrounds, 2200 York Road in Timonium from today 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday.
