Since 2018, a team of staff volunteers from St. Luke’s Monroe Campus have participated in Read Across America at Clear Run Elementary School in Coolbaugh Township. In 2023, they expanded the program.

“We are honored to partner with the schools, as they play a vital role in fostering a love for reading — a skill which expands vocabulary, improves writing skills and develops critical thinking skills, all of which are key to achieving success,” said Don Seiple, president of St. Luke’s Monroe Campus.

“In 2023, we expanded the program to include one elementary school in each of the four Monroe County school districts: Stroudsburg, Pleasant Valley, Pocono Mountain and East Stroudsburg. Through this partnership, we hope to play a small part in inspiring the students to discover the joy of reading and a lifelong love for books. Our team truly enjoys reading and interacting with the students, as each story shared becomes a steppingstone to a brighter future.”

St. Luke’s Department of Community Health also is partnering with more than two dozen schools throughout the region it serves. More than 100 St. Luke’s staff will read to about 10,000 urban and rural students throughout the week.

Read Across America, which officially began on author Dr. Seuss’ birthday on March 2, is dedicated to literacy and aims to encourage reading while educating people about its benefits. Reading and related activities also were planned throughout the day on Monday at St. Luke’s Children’s Hospital in Bethlehem.

Guest readers included Ralph Greco and Joe Swarctz, author and illustrator of Echo City Capers children’s books, and Margaret Place, a St. Luke’s volunteer. They read books to pediatric patients in the playroom or in their rooms if they couldn’t attend the playroom readings.

Staff also distributed age-appropriate books and stuffed animals to pediatric patients who were hospitalized and those who came for outpatient procedures throughout the day. Several other Dr. Seuss-themed activities took place.

St. Luke’s identifies needs through its Community Health Needs Assessments and partners with school communities throughout the year to connect students, staff and families to care, education and resources. For more information, visit https://www.slhn.org/community-health/community-health-needs-assessment.