Kiwanis Club of Literacy in Salinas

Our club is dedicated to serving the children of our community through literacy while offering our members the fun and creativity of collaborating together.

We spread the joy of reading by making monthly gifts to first graders in Salinas of books they can take home and enjoy with their friends and family.

A dedicated member tells the story:

The smile on Carmela’s face spoke volumes. Carmela and her first-grade classmates were excited, not because it was time for recess or lunch. No, the Los Padres Elementary School student and her classmates were thrilled to be receiving copies of the “Three Little Pigs” from the Kiwanis Literacy Club of Salinas.
Carmela, a student in Julietta Morga’s class was smiling because, “I like books.” Eva, a student in Griselda Ruiz’s class, said, “I can read this to my little cousin.”

On Thursday, April 7, Kiwanian Jenni Watkins distributed the books to about 96 students in the four first-grade classrooms at the east Salinas school. Watkins, a retired elementary school teacher, encouraged students to read the children’s classic in English and Spanish.

Los Padres Principal Claudia Morales, who accompanied Watkins to each classroom, appreciates the commitment to support and promote reading to her students. “They are getting the message from others outside the school that reading is fun,” Morales said. “I really appreciate that they can get a book they can call their own, and they can read it over and over.”

In the future, Kiwanis members would like to read the books in class and lead activities designed to strengthen students’ listening, reading, and writing skills. Morales said students enjoy being read to in class. “Reading aloud impacts kids in a positive way,” she said.

Morga, and the other classroom teachers, made sure everyone said thank you for the books. “We really appreciate it. Thank you so much for your donation and your time,” she said.
– Mitch Huerta