Created to encourage students’ love of reading and creative writing, Cobb EMC and Gas South are proud to support the Literacy Week program that local students participated in all last week. The program reached students through in-person events at approximately 45 schools in the Atlanta metro area. More than 19,000 students interacted with authors this year.


“The love of reading is an important part of learning and development,” said Mark Justice, Senior Manager of Education and Community Relations at Cobb EMC. “Literacy Week encourages lifelong reading habits and is intended to inspire thousands of local students and members in our five-county service area.”
 
Now in its 13th year, Literacy Week has impacted more than 200,000 students in schools throughout Cobb, Paulding, Cherokee, Bartow, and Fulton counties. Gas South, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Cobb EMC, joined the program in 2015 as a co-sponsor. New York Times Best Selling Authors Brian Lies, Carmen Agra Deedy, and Jennifer A. Nielsen all participated in the Literacy Week program. Lies has been a part of the program since its inception.

“Cobb EMC’s unwavering commitment to education in the communities we both serve is as vibrant as the minds we nurture,” said Carley Stephens, Manager of Community Affairs at Gas South. “Education is the key to that foundation, and it’s only natural to join forces, combining our resources to make Literacy Week an unforgettable experience for as many students as possible.”
 
Literacy Week is held the last full week in October. This year, the program included 15 authors who shared their books and illustrations with students. Literacy Week is offered to kindergarten through 12th grade students, civic clubs, senior centers, and libraries. To learn more about the community programs at Cobb EMC and Gas South, visit CobbEMC.com/schools and GasSouth.com/giving-back.