Franklin County, News
 By  Staff Reports Published 
6:51 pm Wednesday, October 23, 2013

ReadAPalooza set for Nov. 2 at Regency Square Mall

Children in Franklin County will have the opportunity to receive free reading materials and sign up for additional free books at a special event in Florence.

The United Way of the Shoals Success By 6 initiative will host its inaugural ReadAPalooza on Nov. 2 from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. at Regency Square Mall.

During the event, children will each get one free fall book, participate in story time, sign up for the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, and participate in a craft project from The Home Depot. Children can also jump in an inflatable house throughout the event with the purchase of a $3 armband.

The Dolly Parton Imagination Library was introduced in the Shoals last year and provides one free book every month for children from birth until their fifth birthday. Books are mailed directly to each household, and each child per household may participate.

Success By 6 also educates children on new and exciting ideas and brings volunteers into the classroom to interact and read with students.

“Children who are read to early in life do better in school and in life than those children who are not,” said Crystal Macgruder, director of Success By 6.

“Our goal is to introduce more children in the Shoals to books at an early age. Reading has proven to increase vocabulary, creativity and other crucial developmental skills, as well as creates a special interaction between kids and their parents.”

For more information on Success By 6 and to learn more about ReadAPalooza, please visit www.uwnwal.org or call 256-764-5892.

Also on Franklin County Times
The sky turned black, and he lived to tell it
Main, News, Phil Campbell, ...
By Brady Petree, Addie Broadfoot For the FCT 
April 29, 2026
PHIL CAMPBELL — By the time April 27, 2011, arrived, Rodney Smith had already grown accustomed to the warnings. For days, sirens had gone off across F...
EMA warns: Don’t rely on storm sirens
Main, News, Russellville, ...
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
April 29, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — Franklin County EMA Director Mary Glass said outdoor warning sirens should not be residents’ primary alert system during severe weather...
Ex-principal recalls lost students, teacher
Main, News, Phil Campbell, ...
SEARED IN THEIR MEMORIES
By Brady Petree For the FCT 
April 29, 2026
PHIL CAMPBELL — On the morning of April 27, 2011, Phil Campbell Elementary School (PCES) Principal Jackie Ergle was aware of the threat of severe weat...
West Elementary hosts Careers on Wheels
News, Russellville
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
April 29, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — West Elementary students climbed into concrete trucks, explored emergency vehicles, and learned about skilled trades during the school’...
Cultura Garden Club spotlights pollinators
Columnists, News, Opinion, ...
HERE AND NOW
April 29, 2026
Bees, butterflies and plenty of garden talk filled the room as Cultura Garden Club members gathered at North Highlands Church of Christ in Russellvill...
State should broaden its readiness definition
Columnists, Opinion
April 29, 2026
Families across Alabama are asking hard and necessary questions about what’s next for their high school students. What’s the right path for my child? ...
Local group seeks to help veterans
Franklin County, News, Russellville
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
April 29, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — Veterans in Franklin County who need help with groceries, transportation, meals, wellness checks and caregiver support may not always k...
Free CPR, home safety programs offered
News, Russellville
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
April 29, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — The Russellville Fire Department is offering free CPR classes, smoke detector installation and home safety inspections as part of an ex...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *