This summer, Umpqua Bank reached out to our Early Care & Education Department about bringing their new summer reading initiative to some of our pre-school classes. The Books that Make Cents program helps Umpqua Bank associates link together financial education and educational attainment through volunteerism with the goal of supporting young people’s long-term economic opportunities. With a selection of books curated by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, layered with reading guides, prompting questions and interactive activities, associates can help children people begin to explore topics related to money – savings, income and taxes, financial choices and more!

Children made some cute sheep of their own and even worked on their counting skills

Yesterday, Miss Fran and Mr. Chris visited one of our early learning centers to read Sheep in a Shop! It is a fun book about sheep who are shopping for a birthday present and trying to find ways of making money to pay for it! The class was so enthusiastic and aced the “quiz” at the end! After the reading, the children sang and danced to the song “Ba Ba Black Sheep” and then made some cute sheep of their own! The children even worked on their counting skills by collecting enough cotton balls to create the sheep’s wool.

Thank you so much Umpqua Bank! We look forward to inviting more of your volunteers this summer and fall to bring Books that Make Cents to our various early learning programs!

Is your company or business looking for ways to give back to the community? Do you have a skill, hobby or expertise you would like to share with one of our centers?  If the answer is YES, please contact our volunteer coordinator and learn more!