Kids look at a book in the new “Read, Play, Learn” space at Milwaukee’s Blue Kangaroo laundromat.

Thanks to a partnership between the LaundryCares Foundation, Milwaukee’s Office of Early Childhood Initiatives, and North Shore Bank, kids can enjoy a new “Read, Play, Learn” space at Blue Kangaroo laundromat in south Milwaukee.

The lounge space offers 50 new books in English and Spanish, along with some toys, and is meant for families to relax, have fun, and learn while waiting for their laundry. Children are encouraged to take books home; they will be restocked on an ongoing basis.

More than a quarter of the books will be about financial literacy, to give young readers an early start on saving, spending, and sharing wisely.

Jay McKenna cuts the ribbon at the unveiling ceremony for the new reading space.

President Jay McKenna and community engagement manager Alfredo Martin attended the ribbon cutting for the space last Thursday, February 10.

LaundryCares helps provide the underserved communities often served by laundromats with needed resources. The “Read, Play, Learn” space at Blue Kangaroo is the second in south Milwaukee, and the first to bring together public, private and philanthropic collaboration.

Reminder: We’re inviting the public to donate money to nine local food pantries at give.mastercard.com/p/northshorebank, through this Sunday, February 20. The bank will match up to $500 in donations to each pantry.

And you can win a $75 gift card by sharing one of the bank’s social posts! Northland branch manager Lacee Kalepp and mail services supervisor Colleen Moore are our winners so far. More information is here.