Ashland Reads is a fantastic club literacy project celebrating and promoting literacy amongst 1st, 2nd and 3rd graders
in the Ashland school district!
Ashland Reads History
In 1996 John Jorgensen created the Sue Jorgensen Literary Foundation for his late wife, to advance literacy for children.
In 1999, the “Casper Cares, Casper Reads” project was born and was taken state-wide in 2006 and called “Wyoming Reads”
In 2001, Rotarian Carol Fellows brought the idea to Klamath Falls Rotary.
In 2015, “Ashland Reads” was launched by The Rotary Club of Ashland. The club has partnered since 2018 with the Ashland Lithia Springs Rotary club and our community to make the event possible.
Ashland Reads 2023
On May 3, 2023 we had the first “live” event since 2019! The program was virtual for the three years prior due to The Covid 19 pandemic.
Five Ashland Elementary Schools, with almost 200 first graders and over 50 Rotarian Volunteers, participated at the Ashland High School Theatre Arts building to sing songs, talk about books and have a book reading by local author, Matt Damon.
After the book reading, Ashland Firefighters and Ashland Police prepared a BBQ lunch for all of the children and volunteers.
After lunch each child received a bookbag containing their favorite book inscribed with their name plus coupons and gifts from participating community business partners.
Both Rotary clubs are also grateful for the collaboration of the Jackson County Library, Tree House Books, Ashland High School Interact Club and The Rotaract Club of SOU.
