The Learning Alliance’s Moonshot Moment Rocket joined floats and community groups walking in unity to honor the late Dr. Martine Luther King Jr. during the Martin Luther King Jr. Day Parade in Gifford.

The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Committee of Indian River County hosted the annual event to keep Dr. King’s values alive.

Volunteers and Moonshot Reading Captains escorted the Moonshot Rocket from 37th Street to the Victor Hart Senior Community Enhancement Complex, where the community gathered to honor the life and legacy of the slain civil rights leader.

Folks gathered for an afternoon of food and music for a family-centered day. Luna, TLA’s Literacy RV, stopped by with free books to ensure that all children have access to books in their homes. In order to transform our nation’s future, we must cultivate a culture where 90 percent of children read on grade level by the end of third grade.

King is remembered for his contributions to the civil rights movement to end racial segregation and discrimination in America.

A big proponent of education, King said, “Intelligence plus character — that is the goal of true education.”

“We knew the launching of our Moonshot Reading Captains grassroots program had to paint a colorful picture of sights and sounds for the whole community to see as we marched in the parade,” said Margaret Ingram, MRC lead captain. “The MLK Parade was the opportune moment to spread our message as it was far-reaching and visionary.”

This visibility allowed the community to put a face to this grassroots program when we meet with them later during recruitment and our awareness campaign, according to Ingram. “The parade was a time when families came out for one focus: “REMEMBERING THE DREAM.” Just as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. fought for freedom for ALL and changed the mindset on equality for all in this Nation; We intend to change the mindset of Literacy in the community through the Moonshot Reading Captains program and bring freedom to our children through reading. Reading books opens up new worlds to children and allows them to escape to new places with all the thrills of a parade. Remember our slogan: ‘Today a reader, tomorrow a leader.’”

The Learning Alliance is committed to creating a better tomorrow by taking a stand for our children today. By uniting an entire community to reimagine education, we are working together to cultivate literate, creative, and compassionate citizens who will improve our world.

Parents sat and read to their children in the reading corner and selected free books, candy and special wristbands emblazoned with our motto: “Today a reader, tomorrow a leader.”

“Having Luna stationed in the park for families to stop and get books for the children and themselves while enjoying the festivities was a bustling sight! We gave out hundreds of books that were age appropriate which also allowed us to talk to the families about the MRC Program coming soon to their neighborhood,” said Ingram.

Take a look at the amazing day we had at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQYQ28BLtgI.