Celebrating Literacy During Read Across America on Dr. Seuss’ Birthday in Las Vegas & Bethlehem

During the annual literary celebration of the National Education Association’s Read Across America on March 2, many children across the nation celebrate reading on the same day as the beloved children’s author Dr. Seuss’ birthday. Through Sands Cares, Las Vegas Sands global corporate giving program, we are dedicated to giving back to the communities where we operate and improving the quality of life and magnifying our impact in various ways including Team Member volunteerism and in-kind support. In honor of the literary holiday, Team Members in Las Vegas and Bethlehem, PA, took the time to read to students at local elementary schools.

In 1987, the Nevada Department of Education started “Nevada Reading Week,” a statewide initiative that coincides with the birthday of Dr. Seuss and Read Across America, encouraging a love of reading by giving children opportunities to read and be read to during a weeklong celebration.

As an avid reader, Greg Johnson, who works for the Lock Shop at The Venetian and The Palazzo, said having the opportunity to volunteer to read to students at Helen Herr Elementary School with Sands Cares allowed him to make a big impact.

“You have to start reading to kids early,” Johnson said. “Even if they’re not interested in reading, you have to start now or else it’s harder later in life.”

Jaime Miranda, executive director of Hotel Operations at The Venetian and The Palazzo, who has been participating in Nevada Reading Week for the past few years, brought in a collection of books including Dr. Seuss favorites to read to students at Dean Petersen Elementary School.

“I participate in Nevada Reading Week because reading has always been something that I love to do and I think it is the most valuable gift we can give to children,” Miranda said. “It’s transformational, it opens doors to everything and anything.”

For Rebecca Gorgas, director of Table Games at Sands Bethlehem, volunteering to read to students at Donegan Elementary School on Dr. Seuss’ birthday was important because it gave her a chance to show children how fun and significant reading is.

“They were excited to have someone different in the room and I was so excited to be with them,” Gorgas said. “Their teacher had incorporated the book into their lesson plan, so it tied right in with what they were studying.”