NASHUA – The United Way of Greater Nashua is proud to introduce Reading United Day of Caring, a new initiative in celebration of Read Across America Day, aimed at promoting literacy and mental health awareness among young students.

The event will take place the week of March 3, with primary reading sessions scheduled for March 5 and March 7.

This event will bring United Way volunteers into kindergarten and first grade classrooms in Nashua, where they will read to students for approximately 30 minutes per session. Volunteers will read Gizmo’s Pawsome Guide to Mental Health, a fun and informative book that introduces children to the importance of mental well-being in a relatable and engaging way. The United Way is collaborating with the American Society for Suicide Prevention to raise awareness about mental health and provide valuable resources to students, teachers and families.

“Talking about mental health with young children is crucial for breaking down stigmas and promoting healthy emotional development from an early age,” said Michael Apfelberg, president at United Way of Greater Nashua. “By introducing these topics in a gentle, accessible way through books like Gizmo’s Pawsome Guide to Mental Health, we aim to give children the tools they need to understand and talk about their feelings, which can have a lasting positive impact on their mental well-being.”

Volunteers will receive training and all necessary materials, including the book they will read, and are encouraged to sign up online to participate in this important event.

Interested volunteers can register online at https://www.volunteergreaternashua.org/need/detail/?need_id=1049442. For more information or any inquiries, please contact the United Way at info@unitedwaynashua.org or at 603-882-4011.