Reading Is Fundamental and Scooter's Coffee came together for a special event at Carroll Elementary School in Frisco, Texas where CEO Joe Thornton read books to children and each student took home three new books. (From left) Rachel Madewell, Senior Vice President of Development, RIF; Fionna Clark, Senior Program Associate, RIF; Michelle Johnson, Vice President of Communications and Public Relations, Scooter's Coffee; Becky Vinton Jeanette, Executive Director of Community Affairs, Scooter's Coffee; Joe Thornton, CEO, Scooter's Coffee; Carmen Caramelicious, Scooter's Coffee; Michelle Myers, Executive Assistant, Scooter's Coffee; Hannah Donegan, Senior Program Associate, RIF

OMAHA, NEBRASKA (December 16, 2024) — Scooter’s Coffee partnered with Reading is Fundamental (RIF) to bring the joy of reading to elementary students last week. Joe Thornton, CEO of Scooter’s Coffee, visited a Dallas area elementary school Friday to both share his love of books and the importance of reading with students.

According to RIF, 25 million children in the United States are unable to read proficiently, and one in three children entering kindergarten do not have the basic skills needed to learn how to read. RIF is one of the nation’s leading children’s literacy nonprofits focused on dedicated programs and resources to tackle the nation’s literacy crisis.

Thornton visited Carroll Elementary School in Frisco, Texas, as part of Reading is Fundamental’s “Books for Ownership” program. After Thornton read aloud to students who attended, each student left the book celebration event with three new books of their choice to keep and read with their families.

“It’s not just a name. Reading truly is fundamental for children to not only succeed in the classroom, but to succeed in life. Improving literacy empowers students to advance in their academic careers and be prepared for opportunities beyond school,” Thornton said. “Scooter’s Coffee is proud to support Reading is Fundamental’s mission to advance childhood literacy and disrupt the national literacy crisis.”

Scooter’s Coffee will present a check for $40,000 to Reading is Fundamental during the Scooter’s Coffee Frisco Bowl on Tuesday, December 17, to continue inspiring a passion for reading.

“Scooter’s Coffee shares RIF’s steadfast commitment to building a nation of lifelong readers. We are so grateful for their support and proud to partner to bring learning, discovery and opportunity to children across Texas through the life-changing power of books,” said Alicia Levi, president and CEO of Reading is Fundamental.

Thornton has served on the Board of Directors for Reading is Fundamental since 2022. Scooter’s Coffee previously donated $64,000 to Reading Is Fundamental during the 2023 Scooter’s Coffee Frisco Bowl. The 2024 Scooter’s Coffee Frisco Bowl kicks off on Tuesday, December 17, 8PM CT, airing nationwide on ESPN.

About Reading Is Fundamental

Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) is committed to creating a nation of lifelong readers by inspiring the joy of reading among all children, putting them on the path to becoming skilled readers. We provide free, high-quality content to engage children, educators, families, and literacy advocates in the solution to the US literacy crisis so that every child has the fundamentals for success. As the nation’s leading children’s literacy nonprofit, RIF has provided nearly 430 million books and reading resources to nearly 190 million children since 1966, impacting generations of children. Explore our results and learn more about partnering with us at RIF.org.

About Scooter’s Coffee

Founded in 1998 by Don and Linda Eckles in Bellevue, Nebraska, Scooter’s Coffee uses only the finest coffee beans in the world, which are roasted by its affiliated company, Harvest Roasting, in Omaha, Nebraska. In over 25 years of business, the key to Scooter’s Coffee’s success is simple: stay committed to the original business principles and company’s four core values, which are Integrity, Love, Humility and Courage. The Scooter’s Coffee Brand Promise, often recited to franchisees, customers and employees, is: “Amazing People, Amazing Drinks. . . Amazingly Fast!®” It represents the company’s business origins and reflects a steady commitment to providing an unforgettable experience to loyal and new customers.

Scooter’s Coffee‘s network includes more than 840 stores in 31 states and is striving to become the #1 drive-thru specialty coffee franchise system in the nation. Scooter’s Coffee ranked N° 13 on Yelp’s 2023 list of 50 Most Loved Brands in the US and ranked N° 2 on Franchise Times Fast and Serious 40 Smartest-Growing Franchises in 2024. 

For more information, visit scooterscoffee.com or call 877-494-7004. To connect with Scooter’s Coffee, visit FacebookInstagramTikTokThreads, or X and share your favorite moments by tagging @scooterscoffee using the hashtag #ScootOnAround.

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