100+ Men assure that Real Men Read is fully funded for 2018-19

Representatives of 100 Plus Men Who Care of Putnam County present $12,400 to Real Men Read, which provides free books to all kindergartners in Putnam County, such as those in the Roachdale Elementary classrooms of Debbie Denny and Valerie Lenihan.

Courtesy photo

ROACHDALE — The generosity of one group of men in the community has ensured that another group of men continue to bring the gift of literacy to the children of Putnam County.

Representatives of 100 Plus Men Who Care of Putnam County and Real Men Read recently gathered at Roachdale Elementary School as 100 Plus Men awarded $12,400 to Real Men Read to support its mission of putting books in the hands of every kindergarten student in Putnam County.

Also present for the event were the Roachdale kindergarten classes of Debbie Denny and Valerie Lenihan, who will be among the more than 20 kindergarten classes across the county who are the ultimate recipients of these men’s generosity.

The idea is to provide the kids with books while also showing them positive male role models.

Each month from December through April, these volunteers enter a designated classroom, reading to the classes and providing copies of that month’s books for each student to take home.

In 2017-18, 415 books were given out to each month to students at the seven schools. Through four years of the program, sponsored by the United Way of Putnam County, 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.

In 2018-19, not only is 100 Plus Men providing funding, but the Greencastle Rotary Club applied for a Rotary District 6560 grant to provide $2,000 for the program.

These funds mean that not only will the kids being going home with five new books, but they will also be getting Real Men Read shirts to match those worn by the MENtors when they enter the classroom each month.

With the generosity of the two groups, not only is the program fully funded for this year, but has a good start on the 2019-20 school year.

Anyone wanting to learn more about the program is invited to call 653-5638 or email realmenread@unitedwayofputnamcounty.org.