Local 502 Promotes Child-Reading Programs

Philadelphia Teamsters Contribute Books

July 16, 2002

Teamsters Local 502 in Philadelphia recently participated in two special events aimed at getting children to read more.

As part of its Skills For Tomorrow project, the programs included the kickoff of the PHILADELPHIA READS summer program that was initiated by the Office of the Mayor of the City of Philadelphia, and the celebration of "Get Caught Reading Month" sponsored by the Association of American Publishers.

The PHILADELPHIA READS summer program for 2002 includes 54 different sites throughout the city, aimed at getting more children to read.

For the "Get Caught Reading Month," Local 502 contributed copies of the Caldecott Award-winning book, "Click Clack, Moo – Cows That Type," to Philadelphia’s public elementary schools in an effort to promote reading as well as to deliver a message of collective bargaining.

"Every public elementary school in Philadelphia will receive a copy of the book," said Dr. George DiPilato, President of Local 502. "We’re honored to take part in the program."

Local 502 represents the 650 members of the Commonwealth Association of School Administrators in the City of Philadelphia. In April 2002, the Local, in collaboration with Local 115 and Joint Council 53, held a successful career day event for more than 900 high school students in the Philadelphia area. It is one of eight Teamster affiliates selected this year to receive a Teamsters Skills for Tomorrow award for its effective school-to-work program.

Photographs

The below photographs show Dr. George DiPilato, President/Business Agent of Local 502, reading and discussing the Caldecott Award-winning book, "CLick CLack Moo - Cows That Type," to students and teachers at The Alexander Adaire Elementary School in Philadelphia.

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