This past Saturday, families from across Jacksonville came together for a one-of-a-kind literacy adventure at the Wild Reading Safari, hosted by ECS4Kids in partnership with the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens. The zoo was a little rainy, but buzzing with excitement, storytelling, music, movement, and meaningful connections—all designed to spark a love of reading and support family wellness.
A Day Full of Discovery
Children and families were treated to a vibrant lineup of activities, including:
- Local celebrity readers who brought beloved stories to life with energy and heart.
- A resource fair filled with snacks, yoga sessions, live music, and helpful community information.
- A free raffle featuring exciting prizes like Jacksonville Jaguars tickets, an autographed ball, books the families could take home and more!
The event was more than just fun—it was a celebration of learning, wellness, and community. As Jessica Bone, Senior Director of Child Wellness at ECS4Kids, shared:
“Exposure to reading and literacy in early childhood is the cornerstone of a lifelong love of learning. By adding this unique layer of community engagement, we create meaningful experiences that inspire curiosity, strengthen family engagement, and lay a strong foundation for lifelong success.”
Thank You to Our Incredible Partners
Events like Wild Reading Safari are only possible thanks to the generosity and dedication of our sponsors and volunteers. We extend our heartfelt thanks to:
- Meritain Health
- Publix Super Markets Charities
- Stronger Than the Storm
- Hire Purpose Foundation
- Operation Impact
- Florida Lottery
- Mayor Deegan’s River City Readers
- Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens
- Wolfson Children’s Hospital
- And of course, our amazing ECS4Kids volunteers!
Your support helped create a joyful, enriching experience for families and children—and we couldn’t have done it without you.
The Wild Reading Safari was a roaring success, and we’re already dreaming up ways to make next year’s event even bigger and better. Thank you to every family who joined us, every volunteer who gave their time, and every partner who believes in the power of early literacy and community connection.
Together, ECS4Kids is building a brighter future—one story, one child, and one family at a time.
