Buffalo Bills wide receiver James Hardy made a special visit to Country Parkway Elementary School in Williamsville, NY on Tuesday in support of National Reading Month and Read Across America Day. Hardy read Dr. Seuss's Horton Hears a Who! in the Country Parkway Library to all of the kindergarten students and Oh the Places You'll Go in the second grade classroom. Hardy also took the time to visit with the fourth grade students to stress the importance of reading.
"The importance of reading has been instilled in me since I was in elementary school, by teachers and family members, so I wanted to come here today to encourage these students to read every day" said Hardy. "Reading is fundamental, and necessary for students to be successful in life, so I wanted to show these kids that reading is important and fun."
Now in its 13th year, the National Education Association annually sponsors Read Across America Day as a part of March's National Reading Month. The initiative focuses on motivating children to read, in addition to helping children master basic skills. The reading celebration takes place each year on or near March 2, the birthday of Dr. Seuss. Across the country, thousands of schools, libraries, and community centers participate by bringing together kids and books.
