D.C. United has announced that it will join with JetBlue and Random House Children’s Book in the fourth annual Soar with Reading program, an initiative that helps place age-appropriate books in the hands of children in underserved areas. Washington, D.C. has been announced as part of a six-city, nationwide tour of Soar with Reading that includes a celebration of author Mary Pope Osborne’s new book, Magic Tree House #52:Soccer on Sunday.
On Thursday, June 5, D.C. United players will participate as the Soar with Reading tour stops at THEARC Theatre in Southeast Washington. Hundreds of local students will be on hand as brother and sister duo Jack and Annie from Osborne’s popular Magic Tree House series will perform and engage with attendees. United players will take the stage for an informative question and answer session, along with a short soccer demonstration and autograph session.
“D.C. United is proud to partner with JetBlue and Random House Children’s Books as part of this fantastic literacy initiative,” said Victor Melara, D.C. United Director of Community Relations. “Our club has a longstanding commitment to increasing access to books across our community.”
JetBlue is asking customers to help the airline donate up to $500,000 worth of Magic Tree House books to kids in need by guessing where the storybook characters, Jack & Annie, are traveling. To place a guess, consumers can discover clues on their whereabouts by visiting www.SoarWithReading.com using the new Soar with Reading mobile app, and through the inflight TV entertainment on JetBlue flights. Each guess triggers a book donation on behalf of the participant.
In 2011, JetBlue launched Soar with Reading, an award-winning program designed to encourage kids’ imaginations to take flight through reading. Since its inception, Soar with Reading has donated over $750,000 worth of books to children who love to read.
For more information or ways to get involved, please contact Meghan Arbegast at marbegast@dcunited.com. To learn more about D.C. United’s community efforts visit www.dcunited.com/community.
