Change can be challenging; radical change can be daunting. But it can also be a very good thing, especially when the decision is made in response to customer feedback. After years of operating Sydney’s Reading and Learning Center in the West Oaks Mall in Ocoee, Read to Sydney will close its doors permanently at the end of this month. The difficult decision came after recognizing the increasing demand for the non-profit’s therapy dogs to make school and library visits far outpaced the use of the reading center, coupled with the realization it was no longer feasible to sustain both.
By closing the store and focusing their efforts on school and library visits (and occasional nursing home visits, too!) President Thomas Battisto says they will be able to serve a greater number of children, which has been the primary focus of the Read to Sydney organization since it was founded in 2011.
Thanks to the support of generous sponsors who believe in the organization’s mission of helping children read ‘one tail at a time,’ in the past year, Read to Sydney has been able to
To expand this outreach in the Lake County and West Orange communities, the vision for 2020 is the purchase a bookmobile. A dedicated bookmobile will make an increase in school and library visits much more manageable, plus give them the ability to transport more books.
Mr. Battisto and Toby, a certified therapy dog, are available to speak to groups and are always happy to make appearances at events or for media interviews. They also welcome and encourage new requests for school and library visits.
For more information, Mr. Battisto can be reached by calling (407) 247-8595 or emailing
