Wee Read 
Wee Read was launched in January 2007 in an effort to encourage the vital practice of reading to young children. In partnership with the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, every registered child from birth to age 5 in Athens-Clarke and Oconee counties receives one free, age-appropriate hardback book in the U.S. Mail each month. This highly effective program takes advantage of the natural excitement connected with receiving a package in the mail — children are eager to open and dive into the brand new book that comes addressed specifically to them. Parents are reminded and motivated to read to their young children when they receive a colorful, new, interesting book each month. This excitement surrounding books and reading will lead to a life-long love of reading in young children, an important characteristic for educational success. Included in the back flap of each Wee Read book are reading activities endorsed by the United Way for parents to use.
The Wee Read program is available to all children living in Athens-Clarke and Oconee counties regardless of socio-economic status. Costing just $25 per child annually, every child in the county could be enrolled in the program at an annual cost of less than $168,000.
Learn more.
The 2013 Athens Kids Expo was a huge success with over 1300 attendees and 45+ Sponsors and Exhibitors!!! We would like to thank everyone that came out and joined in the fun while also helping to support a great cause...the Wee Read Program! (To see pictures of this year’s event, please click on the AKE Arches directly above this paragraph.) If you would like additional information on the Wee Read/Success by 6 programs, please contact:
Jeanine Russell
uwsb6@bellsouth.net
706.543.5254
We would also like to thank the following Elementary Schools for submitting these fantastically fun birthday cards to Dr. Seuss! We were able to display them at the Athens Kids Expo and were a huge hit!
Barnett Shoals Elementary Whitehead Rd. Elementary Gaines School Elementary
We would like to thank Jim Rundorff (left) and Plum Creek for their generous donation to the Oconee Wee Read program. The $2500 grant will help with our continued efforts to increase childhood literacy with the distribution of hundreds of books for children ages birth to five years old. Also pictured, Nikki Wright (right), Chair-Wee Read of Oconee County.
Clarke County Wee Read
Fundraising Team
Bobby Heath, Chair
Richard Boone
Paul Cramer
Bob Gardner
Charlie Maddox
Mark Evans
Matt Hewett
Seth Gorman
Ed Perkins
Mixon Robinson
Oconee County Wee Read
Fundraising Team
Nikki Wright, Chair
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Athens Orthopedic
Athens Regional Medical Center
Luther & Susie Harrison Foundation
Turner Family Foundation
St. Mary’s Hospital
Lois & Lucy Lampkin Foundation
The Zygmunt Gasiorowski Fund
First American Bank
Frances Wood Wilson Foundation
Athens First Bank & Trust
Wells Fargo
Noramco
Seth Gorman
Prevent Child Abuse Athens
Welcome Baby
Buddy Allen
DMG
2011 Holiday Benevolence Market
Clarke County School District
Louie Boyd
Stylized Portraiture
Athens Luncheon Optimist Club
Katherine & Bertis Downs
WalMart
Grants: $ 57,000
Donations: $ 45,552.73
Now YOU have the power to invest in a child's future through our Stockholder Program.