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Scripps Tucson helps spread the joy of reading

Posted at 5:34 PM, Jan 23, 2017
and last updated 2017-01-24 17:22:30-05

Did you know only 13 percent of Arizona children entering Kindergarten meet benchmark early literacy skills? 

Around 74 percent of Arizona fourth-graders test below proficient in reading. In Arizona, 530,000 adults read no better than an average 5th grader.
 
Monday marks National Reading Day which celebrates and encourages reading.
 
Scripps employees around the country, including the employees at KGUN 9 and our four radio stations 94.9 MIXfm, 106.3 The Groove, 104.1 KQTH Tucson's News and Talk and ESPN Tucson 1490AM/104.9FM, donated books to organizations that promote literacy. 
 
Scripps employees, friends, and family donated nearly $143,000 to the cause. In Tucson alone, the money raised equaled 800 books.
 
The books were donated to Literacy Connects, an organization that gives books to children and adults. 
 
Also, Scripps Tucson and the Scripps Howard Foundation selected literacy connects to receive a special $10,0000 literacy grant 
 
"Wow...what a wonderful surprise. The 800 books are terrific, $10,000 is super terrific. We'll be able to do so much and help a lot of kids and adults who are struggling with their reading, writing, and math. We're very grateful," said Betty Stauffer, Executive Director for Literacy Connects.
 
Stauffer says that with $10,000 they'll be able to buy another 20,000 books.