Philadelphia, PA - Chris Long, defensive end for the Philadelphia Eagles, along with his spouse Megan, are joining the United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey (UWGPSNJ) in supporting the Philadelphia Read by the 4th campaign, a city-wide organization working towards helping all children to read on grade standards by 4th grade. Chris Long's Foundation, UWGPSNJ along with reading By 4th established the season-long “First Quarter for Literacy” push, backed by a full quarter of Chris' earnings.
Eagles Chris Long Teams Up With United Way And Philadelphia Read By 4th
The Chris Long Foundation, Chris with his wife Megan Long will be investing almost a one-fourth of his 2018 salary in establishing the drive to improve early literacy amongst young kids. The Longs selected to direct their education philanthropy this year on reading, specifically by fourth grade, to stress the recognized link between 4th-grade reading skills to long-term educational growth as well as high school graduation. In Philadelphia, nearly two-thirds of children came into fourth grade cannot read at the grade level at the start of the 2016-2017 school year.
"We are excited to continue our commitment to education this year through the First Quarter for Literacy drive," says Long, defensive end, Philadelphia Eagles and founder, The Chris Long Foundation. "We are partnering with United Way and Read by 4th, not only to support their incredible efforts to get kids reading on grade level but also to amplify the message about the importance of early childhood literacy while encouraging others to join the effort. The more books we can get in kids' hands, the more kids have a greater chance of finishing high school, which means greater long-term success."
Their "First Quarter for Literacy" push will have a local plus national component, and the Longs are going to divided financing to purchase as many books into children's hands as available.
Eagles Chris Long Teams Up With United Way And Philadelphia Read By 4th
About Read by 4th
Read by 4th is a citywide campaign bringing together an ever-growing coalition of partners to double the number of children reading at grade level by the start of 4th grade – when school instruction changes from teaching students how to read to using reading to teach new subjects. We are families, educators, literacy specialists, youth program providers, neighborhood merchants, faith leaders, civic leaders and much more.
About United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey
United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey, serving communities in Pennsylvania's Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties, and New Jersey's Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May and Cumberland counties, is part of a national network of more than 1,300 locally governed organizations that work to create lasting positive changes in communities and in people's lives. United Way fights for the health, education and financial stability of every person in every community. In Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey, United Way fights for youth success and family stability because we LIVE UNITED against intergenerational poverty. For more information about United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey visit www.UnitedForImpact.org.
