Turning Pages Together: NJCDC Celebrates Read Across America Day

Watch our short video of the Read Across America Event

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Across the country, schools and community organizations celebrate Read Across America Day each year around the birthday of children’s author Dr. Seuss — a nationwide effort to inspire young readers and reinforce the importance of literacy. At NJCDC, the occasion has become a cherished annual tradition that brings community members directly into our classrooms to share the simple magic of a good book.

On the morning of Friday, March 6, more than 40 volunteers — community leaders, corporate partners, and longtime friends of NJCDC — joined us to read with students and help spark a love of reading that can last a lifetime.

Among those in attendance were Paterson Mayor André Sayegh and Paterson’s First Lady Farhanna Sayegh, who spent time reading with students and encouraging their curiosity and imagination.

Volunteers also joined us from Berkeley College, Citi, Langan Engineering, the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency, the NJ Department of Children and Families, the Passaic County Sheriff’s Office, the Paterson Fire Department, the Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park, the Paterson Police Department, PNC, PSE&G, Provident Bank, Railroad Construction Company, Spencer Savings Bank, Valley Bank, and friends of NJCDC.

The morning began at 9 a.m. at our Paterson Family Center preschool, where volunteers spread out across classrooms to read to 105 three- and four-year-old students. NJCDC Founder and CEO Bob Guarasci and NJCDC Chief Program Officer David Gelman welcomed the readers and thanked them for helping create joyful learning experiences for the children before volunteers stepped into classrooms to begin their readings.

An hour later, the celebration continued at the elementary campus of our Community Charter School of Paterson (CCSP), the K-8 charter school NJCDC founded nearly two decades ago. After brief welcoming remarks, volunteers once again fanned out across classrooms, reading stories to hundreds of students in kindergarten through second grade.

At both schools, the morning included special visits from two beloved guests: the Cat in the Hat and Sparky the Fire Dog from the Paterson Fire Department, who delighted students and added a playful dose of Dr. Seuss-inspired fun to the festivities.

“Moments like this remind us that reading is about more than words on a page — it’s about curiosity, imagination, and the confidence that comes from discovering new ideas,” said NJCDC Founder and CEO Bob Guarasci. “When community members take the time to sit with a child and share a story, they’re doing more than reading a book. They’re opening doors.”

NJCDC extends heartfelt thanks to all of our volunteer readers for helping make the morning so special. With every page turned and every story shared, you helped nurture the next generation of readers.