In the advent of Black History Month, the MLK Planning Committee is sponsoring a Readathon for local elementary schools.

Participants will read books pertaining to black history to local elementary schools. These books also relate to other diversity groups, such as Latinos and the LGBTQ community.

The Readathon, which started over five years ago, will be held throughout the month of February. Volunteers can choose which book they would like to read, as well as the grade level they want to read to.

There are more than 100 books to choose from in the MLK Bibliography, all ranging from reading levels kindergarten through 12th grade. The books listed on the website are organized by grade level and are also available for purchase.

Executive Support for the MLK Planning Committee Sonia Rucker said they are looking for as many volunteers as possible and will accept students all throughout the month of February.

“We normally have some students from Southeast Serves, we have a few clubs and organizations that volunteer, as well as faculty and staff,” Rucker said. “We’ve been doing this for quite a while, and it’s always great to have more people interested in going out and interacting with the kids.”

The MLK Planning Committee will be collecting names and contact information, then reaching out to individual students for availability. Rucker said it would only take an hour or two out of the day to go to the schools and read.

The locations and dates of the readings will be decided per the volunteer’s availability and preference. Rucker’s goal is to have at least one volunteer for every day of the month.

The Readathon is a part of a series of events held to celebrate Black History Month. For a full list of events or to view the MLK Bibliography, visit www.semo.edu/MLK. To volunteer for the Readathon, call (573) 651-2626 or visit the MLK Planning Committee office in Academic Hall, offices 010 and 011.