Lewisburg Rock and Read Raises Funds for Youth and Families

On a chilly December evening Market Street became a corridor of voices as Rock and Read, the long running reading marathon and fundraiser, took place in downtown Lewisburg. Hosted by the Donald Heiter Community Center in partnership with Barnes and Noble at Bucknell and with support from the Campus Theatre and other local organizations, readers sat in storefront windows and read aloud books poems and short works while donors and sponsors pledged support for youth and family programs at the community center. The event ran from 5 PM to 8 PM and the event page included information on how readers and sponsors could sign up or pledge.

The gathering revived a neighborhood ritual that combines seasonal celebration with practical community building. For many residents the visible, participatory format made support feel immediate. Volunteers and small business partners converted downtown storefronts into stages and collection points, reinforcing connections between arts venues schools and social services that serve Union County families.

Beyond the pageant of readings the fundraiser touches on public health priorities. Investments in youth and family programs are upstream supports that influence educational outcomes mental health and family stability. Community centers like Donald Heiter provide trusted access points for resources and social connection, and when local funding is bolstered by events like Rock and Read the ripple effects can reduce isolation and strengthen resilience for families facing economic or health related stress.

The event also highlights persistent equity concerns. Reliance on seasonal fundraisers and volunteer labor can leave vital services vulnerable to funding fluctuations. Sustained public and private investment in community based programs would reduce pressure on emergency responses and promote preventive supports that benefit children and caregivers across Union County.

As the holiday season continues Rock and Read offered more than entertainment. It served as a reminder that artistic tradition and mutual aid can be woven together to sustain local programs that matter for community well being. Residents who want to participate or support future events were directed to the event page for sign up and pledge details.