Real Men Read

Taking time out of his busy schedule recently, Putnam Circuit Court Judge Matt Headley sits among 19 students from Joanna Muncie’s kindergarten class at Ridpath Primary School after reading “Zack’s Alligator” to the class. As part of the Real Men Read program through the United Way of Putnam County, Headley is one of 22 MENtors who visit each kindergarten classroom in Putnam County’s four school districts. The idea is to provide the kids with books while also showing them positive male role models. Each month since December, 415 books been have given out to each kindergarten student at the seven schools. Wrapping up the fourth year of the program this week with the reading of “I Will Never Not Ever Eat a Tomato,” Real Men Read has thus far been responsible for putting approximately 8,500 books into the hands of about 1,700 students. The program was sponsored by Duke Energy in years one and two and Scorpion Window Film for the last two years. Anyone interested in supporting the program in the 2018-19 school year is invited to call 653-5638 or email realmenread@unitedwayofputnamcounty.org.