United.Read.Connect! - Celebrating a Day of Books, Fun and Connections

United.Read.Connect! - Celebrating a Record-Breaking Day of Books, Fun and Connections!

What a day at United Read Connect—Reno County families showed up in a big way!

This year’s event brought out approximately 750 attendees, making it the largest turnout in the event’s five-year history. Families from across the community came together for a fun-filled day focused on reading and connection with community.

Children had the chance to pick out free, NEW books to take home—in fact, more than 1,200 Scholastic books were given away throughout the event. After choosing new books, families had fun climbing around in emergency vehicles with a Touch-a-Truck experience, reading books to therapy dogs, jumping on a bouncy-house obstacle course, making crafts to take home, blowing giant bubbles and playing a number of “carnival-style” games to win prizes.  And of course, it wouldn’t be a community event without a tasty treat, so UWRC served up 500 hot dogs for participants to enjoy as they explored.

But beyond the fun that was had, United.Read.Connect! is really about something bigger. It’s about helping kids build a love of reading and making sure families feel connected to the resources available right here in Reno County. From free summer-camp opportunities, to mental health supports, social engagement opportunities and programs and resources available to meet basic needs—a huge part of the success of the day was the sharing of information from community partners to residents in efforts to support needs present and ensure that Reno County is a place where all can thrive.

Because when kids have books at home and families feel supported, it makes a lasting impact on the entire community.

Thank you to everyone who came out and made this year’s United Read Connect such a memorable (and record-breaking!) day.

Special Thank You to These Partners:

A big thank you goes out to the 30+ partners listed below who helped make the day a fun success! 

  • Ad Astra Radio
  • Big Brothers/Big Sisters
  • Boys and Girls Club of Hutchinson
  • Circles Reno County
  • Clothed in Compassion
  • Dept. Children and Families
  • Fox Theatre
  • Girl Scouts of the Heartland
  • Healthy Families--KCSL
  • Heartland Credit Union
  • Horizons Mental Health Center
  • Hutchinson Clinic
  • Hutch in Harmony
  • Hutchinson Fire Deparrtment
  • Hutchinson Police Department
  • Hutchinson Public Library
  • Interfaith Housing & Community Services
  • Kitchen Hero Academy
  • Lil' hawks Early Learning Programs
  • Magic Clothes Bus
  • Natalee Ganyon
  • Open Door Health Services
  • Read to Rover
  • Reno County Food Bank
  • Reno County Health Department
  • Reno County Sheriff
  • Rise Up Reno
  • TECH
  • Wisdom in Motion
Check Event Pics HERE!