Five NCCU students gave literacy a boost at the Andolia Eaton Read-A-thon Sept. 20.

The read-a-thon, named after literacy and education advocate Andolia Oakley Eaton, is a once-a-year program sponsored by Read Seed, an organization that promotes reading.

“Volunteer is a lot of fun,“said senior computer information systems major Shenita Harper.

“There is nothing better than seeing children's faces light up as you read to them.“

Harper said all students should volunteer for programs like this.

One room was designed with cardboard “bricks“ covered with aluminum foil. These represented a high-way to reading.

The read-a-thon honored Eaton for her efforts to increase literacy.

The read-a-thon honored, which sponsors plan to hold annually, was held at Antioch Baptist Church.

Central students read from books by Dr. Seuss, John Steptoe, among others to children aged 3-12.

“So many children reach adulthood and are not prepared,“ said Addie Banks, founder of Read Seed.

In addition to the read-a-thon, Read Seed hosts other literacy programs for children and adults, including Story Time Thursday, EagerReader Incentive Program, Parent Education, and community-wide book distributions.

Banks says that learning toread early encourages a life-long love for books.

“I found that books in homes can make a difference between academic advancement and failure,“ said Banks.

“If I spent the rest of my life making sure that children got books in their homes, then there could be a difference.“

Program coordinators said that they want NCCU students involved because it gives children a chance to see African-American role models to identify with.