National Volunteer Week: Storyteller Shares the Joy of Reading with Kentucky Families
24 Abril 2024 - 11:00AM
Business Wire
- Chris Campbell positively impacts Kentucky community through a
free, local literacy program
- Campbell: “I've been fortunate, and it comes back to me in ways
I never could have imagined”
- 6-week program includes reading, free books, door prizes for
children and families with reading challenges
Kinetic employees continue to give back to the communities they
serve, promoting connection and involvement through local
engagements right alongside residents. Chris Campbell, who has
worked with Kinetic for 28 years, has found his calling
volunteering with numerous organizations in his local area, just
two hours from his hometown.
Campbell’s willingness to give back exemplifies the spirit of
National Volunteer Week, which was established to celebrate
Americans who dedicate themselves to bettering their
communities.
Campbell’s various volunteer opportunities include his
memberships with the ELK Club and Knights of Columbus, his role as
Little League coach and his position as president of the Board of
Directors for the local Corbin Public Library. As president, he and
the Board are responsible for approving and maintaining the budget,
establishing library policies, and promoting literacy in all forms
especially digital and traditional for the local Corbin
Community.
‘’Our current Corbin Public Library focus is on giving our
community access to resources that may be out of their reach,
whether its meeting space, digital tools, or books; we really look
to fill gaps in our community,” said Campbell. “It’s also where I
became involved with a literacy advocacy program for local children
and their families who may have troubles reading – a program called
Prime Time Onwards and Upwards.”
The 6-week program is a free resource for children and their
families within the area. Each week, a selected book (usually a
Caldecott Winner), is read and then given to the families, allowing
them to continue the experience at home. In addition to the reading
sessions, discussions are led for the children and their parents,
fostering a deeper appreciation for literature and stronger
communication skills.
“The Prime Time Onwards and Upwards program focuses on
6–10-year-old students and their families,” said Campbell. “It’s a
great opportunity to meet local families and neighbors as we all
gather while I, or another volunteer, read and discuss the book and
enjoy a free meal.”
The reading program also actively engages participants with door
prizes awarded to the students who attend each session.
Additionally, community partners are invited to interact with the
organized program and even provide complementary meals to the
program, free of charge. This collective participation across the
town creates a sense of community and highlights the importance of
collaboration in supporting children's education and
well-being.
“The Prime Time Onwards and Upwards program originated in
Louisiana and has since partnered with Kentucky to expand its
reach,” explained Campbell. “The funding for the program is
provided by the Kentucky Humanities Council, with the Steel Reece
Foundation as a dedicated sponsor. In 2021 the Corbin Library Board
of directors applied for and received The Steel Reece Foundation
grant of $25,000, in support of programs and resources advocating
for educational STEM initiatives which still benefit the library
today.”
Throughout his time fulfilling philanthropic work around the
area, the most impactful has been his recent involvement in the
Prime Time Onwards and Upwards program.
Reflecting on his experiences, Campbell expressed his gratitude,
stating, "I've been fortunate, and it comes back to me in ways I
never could have imagined." His passion for promoting literacy and
fostering a love for reading among Kentucky families has made a
lasting impact on the community.
“I’ll always be grateful for the experiences I gained in our
weekly sessions,” Campbell said, “but this year’s children in
particular taught me so much more than I ever could have taught
them.”
Local families interested in participating in the Prime Time
Onwards and Upwards program should visit the website at
https://www.kyhumanities.org/programs/prime-time.
About Kinetic: Kinetic, a Windstream company, offers fiber-based
broadband to residential and small business customers in 18 states.
The company’s quality-first approach connects customers to new
opportunities and possibilities by delivering a full suite of
advanced communications services. Kinetic is one of three brands
managed by Windstream. The company also offers managed cloud
communications and security services to mid-to-large enterprises
and government entities across the U.S. as well as customized
wavelength and dark fiber solutions to carriers, content providers
and hyperscalers in the U.S. and Canada. Windstream is a privately
held company headquartered in Little Rock, Ark. Additional
information about Kinetic is available at GoKinetic.com or
windstream.com.
Category: Kinetic
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Victoria Carman, Victoria.carman@windstream.com