The Kiwanis Club of Benicia Helps Foster a Love of Reading Through Benicia Reads
BENICIA, Calif. — As Kiwanis Benicia celebrates its 100th year of service in 2026, one of the club’s most meaningful community partnerships continues to help local children build a foundation for lifelong success through reading.
Kiwanis Benicia collaborates with Benicia Reads, a partnership between the Benicia Unified School District, the City of Benicia, and community organizations, to encourage literacy among young readers. One of the club’s goals is to help every Benicia child read at grade level by the end of third grade, an important milestone linked to future academic achievement.
The program serves students at Mary Farmer, Joe Henderson, Matthew Turner, and Robert Semple elementary schools through a variety of fun and educational literacy events that encourage children and their families to develop a lifelong love of reading.
One of the club’s signature projects is its annual summer reading program. Each spring, Kiwanis works with the Benicia Unified School District and Bookshop Benicia to provide every third-grade student with a brand-new, age-appropriate book to read during the summer break. Nearly 400 books are donated each year, helping students continue reading and learning while school is out of session.
Research continues to demonstrate the importance of children having books of their own. According to JCFS Chicago, book ownership and access to a home library significantly improve academic achievement, vocabulary development, and future career opportunities.
“Helping children discover the joy of reading is one of the most important investments we can make in their future,” said Pam Dodson, Benicia Kiwanis Benicia Reads Coordinator. “When a child owns a book they are excited to read, they’re more likely to keep reading, build confidence, and develop skills that will benefit them throughout their lives. We’re proud to work alongside our schools and community partners to make that possible.”
Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to improving the world one child and one community at a time. Founded in 1926, Kiwanis Benicia is celebrating its centennial in 2026. In addition to promoting literacy, the club supports local youth through scholarships, leadership programs, community service projects, and family events that strengthen the Benicia community. Visit KiwanisBenicia.org for more information.