CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – In its continued dedication to promote early childhood literacy, Duke Energy Corporation, a long-time corporate supporter of UNC Athletics, once again joined select UNC student-athletes today to take part in the January “Tar Heel Reading Days” the company sponsors.
Earlier today from 11-12:30 p.m., boys and girls in the third grade at Glenwood Elementary in Chapel Hill were visited by three UNC female student-athletes. Accompanying them in reading to the children were representatives of Duke Energy, including District Manager Indira Everett and Principal Community Affairs Manager Amy Strecker.
“Teaming up with UNC and student-athletes creates the opportunity to inspire and encourage young readers,” said Everett. “These third graders represent our state’s future workforce, and it’s a privilege to help connect how what their learning today will make them successful in college and throughout adulthood.”
The “Tar Heel Reading Days” initiative is held annually in conjunction with UNC Student-Athlete Development that occurs one day per month at local elementary schools throughout the Triangle area. Tar Heel student-athletes from multiple sports visit a local elementary school and read to a class. At each of the school visits, Duke Energy provides age-appropriate Scholastic Books for each child to take home, as well as a co-branded poster featuring Tar Heel student-athletes reading, encouraging kids to “Read Like a Champion”.
According to Korie Sawyer, UNC Athletics Student-Athlete Services’ assistant director, “Giving back to the community is an important part of our Student-Athlete Development program, and the Tar Heel Reading Days allow our student-athletes an opportunity to promote childhood literacy and interact one-on-one with young fans. We are very grateful for Duke Energy’s continued support of this program.”
The partnership with Duke Energy is managed by Learfield’s Tar Heel Sports Properties, the exclusive multimedia rightsholder for UNC Athletics. An industry leader for more than four decades, Learfield has a deep presence in the college athletics landscape nationwide. In addition to UNC, it manages the multimedia and sponsorship rights for more than 120 collegiate institutions, conferences and arenas, and supports athletic departments at all competitive levels as title sponsor of the prestigious Learfield Directors’ Cup.