By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — The Rockford IceHogs aren’t skating around the issue: They want kids to check out more books and stick to reading.
The Hogs are partnering with the United Way of Rock River Valley for a new reading initiative that culminates in the United for Literacy Night at the Dec. 14 game against the Iowa Wild at the BMO Center.
The goal: To work toward improving low reading proficiency and literacy levels in the region.
Right now, about 32% of local students are reading at grade-level proficiency by the end of third grade. United Way launched its United for Literacy campaign 13 months ago with a goal to improve those reading levels to 75% by 2034.
“We are committed to reversing this reality,” said Julie Bosma, president and CEO of the United Way of Rock River Valley. “We love standing shoulder to shoulder with another community organization that is committed to helping our children increase their literacy. …
“We need every child to succeed so our community succeeds.”
The family-focused game night this winter will feature an array of literacy-themed activities and educational booths, including a literacy fair, local authors on hand, library card signups, a book donation drive and various ways for kids who come to the game to leave with a book in hand.
“I’m excited for the togetherness. A lot of times as parents and families we do things isolated, alone, as it relates to reading to our children at night,” said Ebony Wrenn, principal of Jackson Charter School. “To have a community night that engages intergenerational support is just amazing.”
As part of the partnership between the United Way and the Hogs, players will visit local schools such as Jackson to read to children and highlight the importance of literacy. Hammy will also make appearances at literacy events.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for our players to get out in the community and work with the youth and understand that there is a lot more in life happening outside of the four walls of the BMO,” said Mark Bernard, the Hogs’ general manager and president of hockey operations. “They can play a role in helping a child’s life and day be that much better and become somewhat of a role model to them.”
The literacy game night coincides with the IceHogs annual teddy bear toss, a popular promotion where fans bring stuffed animals to the game and throw them onto the ice after the Hogs’ first goal. The plush pets are scooped up and delivered to children in need.
Last season, 5,148 stuffed animals were donated to the cause, bringing the total to more than 57,000 during the history of the event.
The Dec. 14 game is also part of kids takeover night, when children get to help with in-game announcements and other promotions for the Hogs.
The game also includes a fundraising aspect for literacy efforts, with specially designed game-worn jerseys to be auctioned off to support the United Way’s literacy efforts.
The jerseys were designed by Bella Nichols-Francis, 12, a sixth grader at Maria Montessori at Marsh who created a depiction of Hammy the IceHogs mascot wearing a teddy bear costume and holding a book.
Providing an opportunity to watch the IceHogs, raise literacy awareness and raise money to support the effort is a real hat trick in the IceHogs’ book.
But the Hogs and United Way are also stressing the urgency to improve the region’s literacy rates.
“A child’s outcomes and opportunities for the rest of their lives are greatly determined by their ability to read proficiently at 8,” said Jessica Iasparro, director of community impact for the local Untied Way. “We’ve got 8 years for those children to set them up for success for the rest of their lives. So this is important work that we’re doing here.”
If you go | United for Literacy Night
When: 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14
Where: BMO Center, 300 Elm St.
Tickets: Go HERE
This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on X at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas and Threads @thekevinhaas