Local authors to host book-readings at select locations
Panera Bread® has partnered with Early Learning Communities, a United Way for Southeastern Michigan (UWSEM) program, to provide free educational activities and information for children and their parents on the second Saturday of each month during the school year.
Early Learning Communities is a network of neighborhood-based hubs providing free training and resources to parents and caregivers of children aged birth to five.
From 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. on select dates, children will participate in educational crafts, cookie decorating and reading activities. Local authors will also be on-site at select locations reading their books to the kids. While the children play, parents will have the opportunity to learn about the Early Learning Communities program and how to best prepare children for school. The events are open to all ages.
The Early Learning Communities was started to ensure that all children enter kindergarten ready to succeed. Research shows that the first three years of life are critical to a child’s ultimate success in school and in life, making it an important time to intervene to guarantee long-term achievement.
“Studies have shown that children who can’t read by first grade will spend their entire lifetime catching up,” said Annemarie Harris, director of early childhood initiatives for UWSEM. “In partnership with Panera Bread we are bringing families together to discuss how parents can get their children ready for school. Last year’s program was a great success and we’re looking forward to helping more families this year.”
United Way for Southeastern Michigan is Panera Bread’s Operation Dough-Nation® partner in metro Detroit. For all donations made to Panera’s Community Breadbox, located near the registers, Panera matches a portion back to UWSEM.
Panera Family Fun Day dates and locations:
March 12 | 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Panera location:
Waterford - 5175 Highland Road
- Author: Jim Miller - A Spider Lives In My Belly Button
April 9 | 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Panera locations:
Lathrup Village - 27651 Southfield Road
- Tara Michener- The "Who I Am" series and Summer Camp Survival
Sterling Heights - 16 Mile & Van Dyke
- Jim Miller - A Spider Lives In My Belly Button
Southgate - 13665 Eureka Road
- Gary Wise - The Parents of Flannery McKracken
Troy - 15 Mile & Coolidge
- Suzanne Conti - Chloe Finds a Lucky Secret (Tuttle Town Tales)
May 14 | 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Panera location:
Livonia - 28551 Schoolcraft Road
- Sue Beth Balash - Mimi, the Inchworm
June 11 | 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Panera location:
Westland - 35300 Warren Road
- Marybeth Dillon-Butler - Myrtle the Hurdler (Marybeth will dress up as a turtle)
Sept. 10 | 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Panera locations:
Canton - 41950 Ford Road
- Robin Morris - Mama Got Rhythm & Daddy Got Rhyme
Oct. 8 | 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Panera location:
Rochester Hills - 37 S. Livernois Road
- Elizabeth Lange Cannella - There's a Monster in my Lunchbox
Nov. 12 | 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Panera locations:
Lathrup Village - 27651 Southfield Road
- Robin Morris - Mama Got Rhythm & Daddy Got Rhyme
Woodhaven - 23601 Allen Road
- Patty O'Brien Novak - Engineering the ABC's
Dec. 10 | 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Panera locations:
Dearborn Heights - 26580 Ford Road
- Robin Morris - Mama Got Rhythm & Daddy Got Rhyme
Chesterfield - 51490 Gratiot Avenue
- Elizabeth Lange Cannella - There's a Monster in my Lunchbox
