Spring Break Book Clubs Funded by Bat Mitzvah Project

For her Bat Mitzvah service project, Madalyn Posternack worked with CUYS leaders to create a Spring Break Book Club. Her vision: New books and healthy groceries would be delivered to participating families, and she would use Zoom to lead discussions of books with the participating children while all were on Spring Break.

Maddie's friends and family eagerly contributed in honor of her special occasion. Their generous donations totaled nearly $2,400. Others interested in supporting this project's legacy can still contribute at https://donorbox.org/maddies-book-club

The Spring Break Book Club quickly generated 23 registrations for Chester children ranging in age from five to thirteen. Maddie was eager to work with the seven second graders. CUYS tapped three local volunteers (Amanda Anckaitis, Elise Molloy and Audrey Stevens) to lead additional book clubs serving other age groups.

Each book club met for at least 30 minutes on three days over Spring Break. The volunteer mentors read with the children, led discussions of characters and plots, introduced imaginative games relating to the stories, and inspired the children to share their related thoughts and ideas.

"Encouraging leisure-time reading is one example of how CUYS is promoting healthy lifestyle choices beyond the soccer field for the children we serve," explained CUYS Executive Director Jeannine Anckaitis. "In recent months we have felt fortunate to partner with Kara Barnard Youth Literacy Fund, run by The Community's Foundation, in order to supply gently used books to attendees at our Soccer Saturdays and at other events. The books are received so gratefully by families. We hope to keep this service going indefinitely."

All registrants for the Spring Break Book Club were also invited to join a second series of Zoom sessions featuring Holcomb Behavioral Health Systems' Positive Action program, which encourages students to make positive choices and is designed to improve academic achievement, school attendance, and problem behaviors. Prevention Specialist Teresa Quinn skillfully led those fun and interactive sessions at no cost to CUYS thanks to funding by the Delaware County Office of Behavioral Health, Division of Drug & Alcohol. Other groups are welcome to request Holcomb's services as well.

Maddie's Spring Break Book Club was the most recent element of vacation day programming offered by CUYS. Over the December break and President's Day, CUYS participants were encouraged to join Zoom art lessons and STEM sessions funded by another special event service project.

CUYS invites others celebrating special occasions to email jeannine@chesteruplandyouthsoccer.org to coordinate a philanthropic project partnership that suits them.

image credit: Happy Kemper, Teachers Pay Teachers