BATH

On March 2, hundreds of volunteers will visit local schools and child care centers for United Way’s 18th annual Community Read Aloud. Volunteers will share their love of reading with more than 4,000 children. As part of United Way’s Success by 6 initiative, the event is held on Read Across America Day, in honor of Dr. Seuss’ birthday. It is sponsored locally by The Rotary Club of Topsham Expresso, Oxford Networks and Comcast.

Volunteers will share a favorite piece of writing — a children’s book, short story or other work — with the children as well as why reading is important in their life.

“It is a fun way to reinforce the importance of reading and developing early literacy skills,” said Peter Lindsay of United Way. “Volunteers are key to a successful Community Read Aloud and they seem to enjoy it just as much as the kids.”

Readers can sign up now to choose the best time and location for their visit. Locations include Kindergarten through sixth grade classrooms, Head Start programs and child cares centers in Harpswell, Brunswick, Sagadahoc County or Lincoln County.

To sign up as a volunteer reader, visit uwmcm.org, email Heidi Tucker at readaloud@uwmcm.org or call (207) 443-9752. Sign up by Feb. 3.