For the City Times

WISCONSIN RAPIDS – United Way of South Wood & Adams Counties’ Women United will host its annual Power of the Purse event on March 10, 5-7 p.m. at Bullseye Golf Club, 2800 Ridgewood Trail, Wisconsin Rapids.

Power of the Purse is an annual fundraiser by Women United to help fund local childhood literacy programs, such as the Learning for Life Reading Mentor Program, Imagination Library, Below Level Reading Sets, Explorations Book Program, Reading Olympics, and upgrading classroom libraries at local schools.

“The ability to read is so important for young children,” said Tari Jahns, United Way of South Wood & Adams Counties’ CEO and a founding member of Women United.  “You may have heard the saying ‘up to third grade, students are learning to read – after third grade students are reading to learn.’  That is absolutely true.

“Any student who has fallen behind in his/her reading skills will continue to struggle. That is why Women United funds programs like Imagination Library, which sends a free book every month to children ages birth to five; and Learning for Life, which matches volunteers with students in grades K through third grade, who need extra help with their reading skills. We know one out of six children in south Wood County are not reading at a proficient level by fourth grade. We can fix this. Growing a love of reading is truly making a better future for a child.”

Coach, Kate Spade and Michael Kors are just some of the purses that are available for auction.  Each purse has been sponsored by a local business.

Tickets are available for purchase online at www.uwswac.org and at the door.