The Orange Elks Lodge, in partnership with the Orange Public Library, proudly hosted The Reading Promise event on Sunday, October 5, welcoming nearly 1,100 attendees and visitors—almost double the turnout of any previous year!

This special community celebration was made possible through the dedication of approximately 125 volunteers from the Orange Elks Lodge and community partners, including 22 volunteers from Orange High School’s FFA and Girls’ Basketball Team.

Community organizations came together to make the day memorable for every student. The Kiwanis Club of Orange served free hot dogs and chips, Home Depot led hands-on building activities, and Chapman University students helped children create personalized bookmarks. The Orange Blossoms and the Elks Lodge provided school supplies, and the Orange High School Barnyard animals were a huge hit with students and families alike.

The event also featured Guest Readers, a Reading Theater, Therapy Dogs, Face Painters, a Petting Zoo, Child ID vendors, and a live owl and hawk demonstration—creating an engaging and educational experience for all ages.

Every TK through 5th-grade student from OUSD Title I schools received a free backpack, school supplies, and several brand-new books. Students were also able to sign up for their very own library cards.

The Reading Promise believes that placing a new book in the hands of a child who might not otherwise own one is like planting a seed—one that blossoms into a lifelong love of reading. The event truly embodied that mission, highlighting the power of community collaboration in supporting literacy and learning across Orange Unified.