OBJ supports Read to Succeed Foundation
February 28, 2024
In just two weeks, OBJ players and coaches across all 11 teams collected 338 new and gently used books for donation to the Read to Succeed (RTS) Foundation, a local non-profit organization that empowers kids who are struggling with life’s obstacles through reading.
The book drive was an initiative of the 12U team to honor the Columbus Blue Jackets and NHL’s “Hockey is For Everyone" initiative, which aligns with the RTS mission of amplifying academic achievement, responsibility, respect, teamwork and good character through the meaningful donation of these books. Many of the books donated were hockey in theme or focused on a character of color, a female hero, or a person inspiring others to achieve incredible things.
A special thank you to Gaby, the 8th grade student and RTS ambassador who spoke to the 11U team who has the distinct responsibility to disburse the books to food pantries and other locations like the Columbus Blue Jackets Family Resource Center at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. We appreciate each OBJ player for brightening the day of a central Ohio child in need with his or her special book donation. Together, we can accomplish so much!
Read to Succeed was established in 2013 and strives to enable children to escape the cycle of poverty by providing them with books, allowing them to build confidence in their reading skills, succeed in school, and have a world of characters to turn to in times of stress. Developing mini-libraries in food pantrie, RTS aims to incorporate "brain-food" as an important asset in these locations.
If you would like to learn more, or support the initiative please visit www.readtosucceedfoundation.org
As a non-profit 501-c3 organization, the Ohio AAA Blue Jackets program prides itself on being the premier youth hockey program in Ohio. With an every day mission to develop our student-athletes to reach their full potential on and off of the ice, the program aims to provide a healthy and safe environment for the elite player to grow as a player, person and teammate through the great game of hockey.