On Wednesday, January 31, 2018, MIT Federal Credit Union (MIT FCU) President/CEO Brian Ducharme delivered 40 copies of The Magician’s Hat, a children’s picture book written by New England Patriots wide receiver Malcolm Mitchell, to the first graders of Morse Elementary School in Cambridge, Mass. After reading this story aloud to his excited audience of early readers, Ducharme handed out books so each child might take a copy home.
MIT Federal Credit Union (MIT FCU) is a proud sponsor of Credit Unions Kids at Heart®, a Massachusetts-based charitable organization and partner in the Share the Magic Foundation’s Read with Malcolm initiative. One of the largest credit union collaborative public service initiatives in the nation, since 1996 Credit Unions Kids at Heart has raised funds for Boston Children’s Hospital’s research activities aimed at the prevention, treatment, and/or cure of pediatric neurological diseases.
In 2017, as an extension of its mission to help children lead healthy, happy lives, Credit Unions Kids at Heart embraced the Read with Malcolm initiative, a youth literacy program of Malcolm Mitchell’s Share the Magic Foundation. The Share the Magic Foundation works to promote the long-term benefits of reading and book ownership among students in Title I schools and underserved communities. With the support of a select number of its own participating credit unions, including MIT FCU, Credit Unions Kids at Heart has donated hundreds of copies of Mitchell’s book to the first grade classes of eligible area schools.
“It was fulfilling, on many levels, to be a part of this program. The Read with Malcolm initiative reminds us of the importance of putting books in the hands and homes of young children, and of providing those children with interesting, inspiring, and age-appropriate stories to read. These kids were spot on in their understanding of the message of The Magician’s Hat, and genuinely appreciated being able to take home a copy of the book,” said Ducharme. “We are proud to participate in a community-driven program that supports children’s overall health, both physical and mental, through Credit Unions Kids at Heart and the Read with Malcolm initiative.”