March 9, 2020
Roanoke, VA — More than 35,000 public school students and their families from across Virginia will read the same book on the same schedule starting Friday, March 6. It’s all part of Virginia Reads One Book — a statewide family literacy program designed to strengthen the educational connection between home and school from Richmond-based Read to Them. American National Bank & Trust Company is a proud sponsor of this program at Round Hill Elementary School in Roanoke City, Dearington Elementary School in Lynchburg, and Danville elementary schools, G.L.H. Johnson and Forest Hills. Overall, more than 1500 students and staff will participate.
“At kick-off events in each school, students will receive their own copies of The Toothpaste Millionaire to take home and read with their families,” says Read to Them Interim Director Bruce Coffey. “For the next three weeks, students and their families read a chapter each night at home, coordinating with classroom and school-wide activities. Reading a common book together turns out to be a terrific way to unite a school community and increase parental involvement. Reading aloud at home ensures students come to school prepared to read and to succeed – in school and in life.”
“We are proud to again be a statewide sponsor of Virginia Reads One Book. The program not only boosts students’ reading abilities, but it shows them reading is fun in an atmosphere that strengthens family and community interactions,” says Bruce Whitehurst, president and CEO of the Virginia Bankers Association. “With the support of American National, the school receives a book for every student and complimentary staff copies, both family literacy and financial literacy activities, school assembly suggestions, teacher resources, and both family and community engagement tools. These resources turn a book into a community experience so everyone can enjoy and share the story.”
Carolyn Kiser, American National’s Director of Marketing and Community Affairs, stated, “We are thrilled to be able to sponsor Virginia Reads One Book this year, which builds on other financial literacy efforts that we have going in our community, including Roanoke Valley Saves, Junior Achievement, and Everfi. We were drawn to this program by not only the financial literacy focus of the book, but also the idea of bringing families together.”
Other statewide program sponsors include the Virginia Bankers Association Education Foundation, Virginia Council on Economic Education, GoNoodle’s Blazer Fresh, The Washington Redskins Charitable Foundation and Tackle Reading.
For the current list of participating schools in your area, please email bruce.coffey@readtothem.org.
About Read to Them
Read to Them is a Richmond based non-profit promoting family literacy. A growing body of research shows that children who are read to learn to read more easily and become better readers. Literacy skills provide the basis for a lifetime of learning and productivity. For more information visit www.readtothem.org.
About Virginia Bankers Association Education Foundation
The Virginia Bankers Association (VBA) formed the VBA Education Foundation in 2007 with funding from the majority of VBA member banks. The Foundation’s mission is to improve personal financial literacy and economic education in all public and private schools in the Commonwealth. The Foundation recognizes the importance of economic education and financial literacy in Virginia and supports the banking industry as a key participant in these areas. For more information, visit www.vabankers.org/vba-education-foundation.
About American National Bank & Trust Company
American National is a multi-state bank holding company with total assets of approximately $2.5 billion. Headquartered in Danville, Virginia, American National is the parent company of American National Bank and Trust Company. American National Bank is a community bank serving Virginia and North Carolina with 26 banking offices. American National Bank also manages an additional $855 million of trust, investment and brokerage assets in its Trust and Investment Services Division.