Foundation for Vancouver Public Schools receives $10,000 for Read Across America Week

VANCOUVER — Riverview Bank, Riverview Trust Company and Wellpoint joined forces to support literacy in Vancouver Public Schools, donating $10,000 to the Foundation for Vancouver Public Schools.

This donation provided books to first-graders as part of the district’s 2025 Read Across America Week celebrations, March 3-6.

Read Across America Week is the nation’s largest annual literacy initiative, encouraging a lifelong love of reading. In Vancouver, elementary schools marked the occasion with activities that celebrate and promote a diverse community of young readers.

A key component of the event is ensuring that every first-grader receives a book of their own to take home — an initiative aimed at fostering literacy and reinforcing the positive impact of reading at home.

Many teachers have selected books in the primary language spoken by students’ caregivers, reinforcing the importance of multilingual literacy and family engagement.

In addition to the donation, Riverview Bank employees volunteered their time to add personalized bookplates in each book.

Books were distributed throughout the district.

“We are incredibly grateful to Riverview Bank, Riverview Trust, and Wellpoint for their steady support of literacy initiatives for Vancouver students,” said Timothea Sutton, interim executive director at the Foundation for Vancouver Public Schools. “It’s inspiring to be part of a community with so many dedicated partners committed to uplifting and supporting our youth.”