We’re thrilled to announce that 777 brand new books are now in the hands of local kids, setting the stage for a summer filled with reading and imagination! These books, generously provided by the Rotary Club of Rockford, were distributed at the annual Reading Rocks in Rockford event on Saturday, May 31.

This cherished tradition, started by Rotarian and former Rockford resident Sue Bodenner, is now celebrating its 16th year of inspiring students to read and learn. 

Fun for All Ages

Children of all ages enjoyed the popular Pluck-a-Duck activity, where they could “fish” a duck from the pond to win a prize, select their own small rubber duck and bookmark, and then choose a book to take home.

Other activities included an author meet and greet, face painting, visits to the Rockford Public Schools Summer Bus for storytime, mascots and the RPS Reading Awards. 

Community Collaboration

A special thank you goes out to Loux Learning for their expertise in selecting age-appropriate books and for organizing the book giveaway and to the staff of the KDL-Krause Memorial Library for their organization of this event. We are also deeply grateful to the dedicated members of the Rotary Club, the Rockford High School Rotary Interact Club, and Scout Troop 2882 for working together to make this event a memorable experience for everyone who attended.

Here’s to another successful year of encouraging young readers and building a lifelong love of books in our community!

ShelterBox works to support communities in crisis. Right now, over 100 million people around the world have been made homeless by disaster and conflict. ShelterBox is working to change this. By providing emergency shelter and tools for families robbed of their homes by disaster, ShelterBox and Rotary are transforming despair into hope.Their goal is to see a world where no family is left without shelter after disaster.

Since 2012, ShelterBox and Rotary have been official Project Partners in disaster relief.

Donations collected at the event and from sponsors totaled over $5,000!  Donations are still be accepted!  Scan the QR code to donate securely online or by check made payable to Rockford Rotary Club, PO Box 347, Rockford, MI 49341 with ShelterBox noted on memo line.