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Our Mission

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The mission of 2nd & 7 is to promote reading by providing free books and
positive role models to kids in need while encouraging young athletes of
the community to pay it forward.

2nd & 7

2nd & 7 has donated over half a million books to kids in need all across the country since it started in 1999. By engaging thousands of college and high-school student-athlete volunteers across the country, we are inspiring the next generation of readers and leaders. 

2nd & 7 was started in 1999 by three former Ohio State Buckeye football players—Ryan Miller, Luke Fickell, and Mike Vrabel. Inspired by their involvement in various community outreach programs as former student-athletes, they decided to continue to make a difference by promoting literacy and providing positive role models for children in central Ohio.  Over the past 23 years, the program has grown to nearly 200 communities in 26 states. The “Tackling Illiteracy” program encourages student-athletes from universities and high schools across the nation to participate in weekly readings in second-grade classrooms. While in the classrooms, they are reading to the kids, passing out FREE books for the kids to take home and reminding the kids why it is so important to read. 2nd & 7 created its own book series featuring a group of friends called the Hog Mollies; each book teaches valuable life lessons. In the fall of 2022, we will distribute our 15th book in that series - The Hog Mollies and Ike & Ivy's Ice Cream Shop. 

Student-athletes from universities and high schools across the nation are a huge part of our program. They are out in the schools each week, reading to kids, handing out books, and reminding the 2nd graders why reading is so important. They also use the themes in the Hog Mollies books to reiterate valuable life lessons.

Our focus is to encourage 2nd graders to become readers. Studies have shown that if children are not reading well by the end of 2nd grade, there is trouble ahead. We are committed to getting books in the hands of children who need them the most. For many kids we visit, the book we give them may be the only book they have at home.

Our volunteer role models encourage 2nd graders to try their best in school, do their homework, respect their teachers and classmates and READ EVERY NIGHT.


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2023 SPRING GOLF OUTING

2023 SPRING GOLF OUTING

MONDAY MAY 15
WEDGEWOOD GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB
This outing is one of the biggest events of the year to support our mission to provide free books and positive role models to kids in need while encouraging young athletes of the community to pay it forward. Teams will enjoy golf on one of the best courses in Ohio, food, drinks and fantastic team gifts. We have a variety of sponsorship levels available for your convenience.
 
Check out this recent video to see the latest impact 2nd & 7 is having in our community, thanks to people like you!

REGISTER YOUR TEAM

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Tackling Illiteracy
National Programs

Our Tackling Illiteracy program pairs student-athletes with 2nd graders all across the country. Each child reads with these positive role models and gets a new book to take home. We target schools with economically disadvantaged kids and communities where we can make the biggest impact.

 Find Out More      Sign Up Your School

Upcoming Events  

Central Ohio Golf Outing

Central Ohio Golf Outing
  Monday, May 15

The Annual Pay It FOREward Golf Outing benefiting 2nd & 7 is a one-of-a-kind outing that will feature great food, fun contests and more, all on a fantastic course.

Learn More

2nd & 7 Football Camp

2nd & 7 Football Camp
  Monday, June 26

Learn More

Book Bash at the Bridge <br>benefiting 2nd & 7

Book Bash at the Bridge
benefiting 2nd & 7

  Saturday, August 26

Learn More


Become a Volunteer

The gift of your time is priceless. We are grateful to the many volunteers who support 2nd & 7 in various ways throughout the year. Volunteers help with our events such as The Derby, Football Camp and Celebrity 8-Ball Shootout. Also, we participate in many local reading events and festivals that focus on children, reading and our efforts to Tackle Illiteracy. We would love to have you join our team!

Apply Now