James Knight, United Way of Southwest Michigan volunteer, reads the children’s book, “Snug House, Bug House” to teacher Mary Ward’s kindergarten class Tuesday at Northside Child Development Center in Niles. Leader photo/CRAIG HAUPERT

Local United Way volunteers paid a special visit to Northside Child Development Center in Niles during the organization’s annual reading day of action.

More than 200 volunteers read to pre-kindergarten through fifth grade students in Berrien and Cass counties Tuesday.

The 2013 event featured 347 participating classrooms from all corners of Berrien and Cass County.

“It’s amazing to see so many people get involved with this type of project, whether they’re volunteering their time to read or advocating for the issue” said United Way President Anna Murphy.  “The single strongest indicator for success later in life is literacy and we are so excited that our community members are helping us spread the message of the importance of loving to read.”