United Way of the Coastal Empire partnered with Liberty County School System and University of Georgia football great and New England Patriots Super Bowl champion Malcolm Mitchell and his Share the Magic Foundation to bring Reading Rallies to all second graders in Liberty County and throughout the four-county region.

“Malcolm is a dynamic speaker, and our hope is these Reading Rallies will inspire students to read to help set them on a path to success,” said Brynn Grant, United Way of the Coastal Empire president and CEO. “We are grateful for the strong support of the Liberty County School System and our local school system leadership throughout the region, as well as literacy advocates and many generous donors who helped make these rallies a reality in our region.”

The Reading Rally in Liberty County took place on October 18 at the Liberty County High School in Hinesville. Reading Rallies also happened in Bryan, Effingham, and Chatham counties on October 1718.

The Reading Rally is an hour-long program that combines a traditional author’s visit and a high-energy pep rally with Mitchell. Through an innovative reading experience with a real magician, students receive one of Mitchell’s books – “The Magician’s Hat.” Schools also receive a Teacher’s Guide and an animated video of Mitchell reading the book for continued classroom engagement.

“We have a strong focus on literacy in Liberty County Schools, and we certainly appreciate Malcolm and his willingness to work with our children,” Superintendent of Liberty County Schools Dr. Franklin Perry said. “The children really enjoy the exciting show, but it also has an important message. We just appreciate his dedication to improving literacy.”

“A solid foundation in reading is paramount to a student’s success,” said Mitchell. “Through Share the Magic Foundation’s partnership with United Way of the Coastal Empire, we are able to ensure that every second-grade student in the Savannah area has the right to be able to open a book and discover the magic of reading.”

Mitchell played at Valdosta High School and played at Georgia from 2011-15.

Mitchell told the kids that when he was their age, he was scared to read and he was scared of books.

These Reading Rallies are part of United Way of the Coastal Empire’s READ UNITED initiative, which is a year-round series of programs aimed at improving early language and literacy for all children throughout Bryan, Chatham, Effingham, and Liberty counties.