ASHLAND, Ky., December 1, 2022 – More than 700 elementary students throughout 20 eastern Kentucky counties will be treated today to a riveting story read aloud by Kentucky Power volunteers about big dreams and perseverance.

The Kentucky Power event, Read to Me Day, is being offered to schools in each of the utility company’s eastern Kentucky service districts – Ashland, Pikeville and Hazard – starting this morning. Today will mark the first reading event after a two-year hiatus due to pandemic repercussions.

This year, volunteers will read, “Rosie Revere, Engineer,” by Andrea Beaty, a story about a young girl who dreams of becoming a great engineer. Through lots of trial and error – and after a visit from her great-great-aunt, Rose, who is also the cultural icon, Rosie the Riveter – Rosie learns that you can only truly fail if you quit.

Read to Me Day is a great way for employees to get involved in the local communities where they live and work, said Michelle Strickland, Kentucky Power communications representative.

“Kentucky Power provides annual support to schools in our service areas through grants and program sponsorships,” she said. “Read to Me Day provides an opportunity for our employees be a part of that educational support.”

During Read to Me Day, volunteers will also discuss electrical safety and donate the book they read to the school’s library. Since the event was established in 2003, Kentucky Power has donated thousands of books to schools.

“We appreciate the schools allowing us to come into their classrooms and demonstrate the importance of reading in the education of our children,” Strickland said. “Community involvement is a pillar of our mission, but these opportunities feel extra special during the holiday season when goodwill is at the forefront of all our minds.”