Effort to promote literacy will feature different celebrity readers each Friday

The City of Southfield and the Southfield-Lathrup Village Optimist Club are sponsoring Southfield Reads – Virtual Celebrity Readers Program to promote literacy and encourage reading during the COVID-19 pandemic.  The program is designed for Pre-K through 3rd grade students as an enhancement to their current academic curriculums while we practice safe social distancing at home.

Southfield Reads will be pre-recorded and aired on Southfield Cable 15 from 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. on Fridays beginning May 22, 2020. To view, simply tune in to City Cable 15 (in Southfield) or log on to www.cityofsouthfield.com anywhere.  The program is geared towards three separate age ranges beginning with Pre-K from 11-11:30 a.m., K-1st Graders from 11:30 a.m.-noon and 2nd  & 3rd Graders from 12-12:30 p.m.  Each segment will feature a different celebrity reader, including local elected officials, business and school leaders and other community representatives. The inaugural May 22 session will feature the following celebrity readers:

• 11:00 a.m. – Retired 46^th District Court Judge Stephen Cooper reading Curious George Makes Pancakes;
• 11:30 a.m. – Stacey Barrett reading The Gulps; and
• 12:00 a.m. – Willie Simon reading Ellen's 11 Star Spectacular Super Deluxe Hotel.

“During the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond, it is vitally important that we continue to promote literacy and encourage our youth to become active readers,” commented Cherryl Thames, Southfield-Lathrup Village Optimist Club Past President & Southfield Reads Co-Sponsor. “I know firsthand how important it is for a child’s future academic success to develop strong reading skills at a young age – especially at this time while the traditional learning environment has been so disrupted by this pandemic.”

Additional partners include Southfield City Cable 15, Southfield Community Relations, Southfield Technology Services, Southfield Public Library, and Southfield Public Schools.

About the Southfield-Lathrup Village Optimist Club

The Southfield-Lathrup Village Optimist Club has been serving the communities of Southfield and Lathrup Village since 1979.  By providing hope and positive vision, Optimists bring out the best in youth, their communities and themselves. The Club is comprised up of local volunteers and community leaders that support and implement numerous programs and projects throughout the year. The Southfield-Lathrup Village Optimist Club promotes programs and activities to recognize and encourage the youth in our community.

For more information or to volunteer as a reader, contact Cherryl Thames, Southfield- Lathrup Village Optimist Club Officer & Southfield Reads Co-Sponsor, by phone at (248) 506-5118 or email at slvoptimist@gmail.com.