Wells Fargo recently donated $2,500 toward the Beaufort County YMCA’s Summer 2014 Learning Loss Prevention Program. This is the second time the company has supported this specific YMCA program, which is geared toward addressing gaps in academic achievement among the area’s most disadvantaged youth.

[caption id="attachment_16301" align="alignleft" width="225"]<a href="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/wells-fargo-donation-2014.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-16301" alt="William Achurch, Beaufort market president for Wells Fargo, and Michael Bostwick, CEO of the YMCA." src="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/wells-fargo-donation-2014-225x300.jpg" width="225" height="300" /></a> William Achurch, Beaufort market president for Wells Fargo, and Michael Bostwick, CEO of the YMCA.[/caption]

“We believe helping a child learn and love to read is the best way we can improve that child’s chance of success in school and in life,” said William Achurch, Beaufort market president for Wells Fargo. “We are proud to partner with the YMCA.”

The Summer Learning Loss Prevention Program is modeled after a literacy program designed for children in first through third grade who are currently reading below grade level. Results from last summer’s pilot program in Beaufort indicated that students attending gained 5.5 months in reading growth from pre to post-test assessment.

“We are excited that a company like Wells Fargo understands the importance of offering programs like this,” stated Beaufort County YMCA CEO Michael Bostwick.

The Wardle Family YMCA is located at 1801 Richmond Ave., Port Royal. For more information, call 843-522-9622 or visit www.ymcabeaufortcounty.com.