Community volunteers are making a big splash with some Manatee County students!
Dive into Reading is a literacy initiative started by local restauranteurs John and Amanda Horne.
Students attending Manatee County's third grade summer reading camps are brought to a restaurant by school bus to spend the morning reading, writing and learning life skills, such as etiquette.
The program began in 2017 with one restaurant location - Anna Maria Oyster Bar in Ellenton - and rising third grade students from two Title I elementary schools.
Since then, several other restaurants, including Gecko's, O'bricks and Pier 22 (along with The Bishop Museum of Science & Nature) have joined AMOB in hosting readers from 15 schools for weekly breakfasts.
Volunteers include retired educators, community leaders and members of the Bradenton Police Department, including Chief Melanie Bevan.
A police detective mentoring a Manatee Elementary student received a nice note from him that read, "Best Police Officer Ever!"
One of the best parts of Dive into Reading, says John Horne, is watching students enjoy a healthy, delicious meal and gaining knowledge from their new friends.
The experience ends each week with volunteers forming a tunnel and honoring students with a clap-out.
There are plenty of cheers and high-fives as students carry their new books onto the school buses and head back to summer camp.
Dive into Reading was founded by John & Amanda Horne to combat the "Summer Slide", or loss of reading skills during the summer months.
We thank all involved with Dive into Reading for your support of our students and schools!
Photos in the article from: Bradenton Police Department, Donna Puhalovich from The Patterson Foundation and John Horne.