Created to encourage students’ love of reading and creative writing, Cobb EMC and Gas South are proud to present Literacy Week 2026 from Monday, October 26 through Friday, October 30. The program reached students through in-person events at approximately 38 schools in the Atlanta metro area. More than 16,000 students interacted with authors this year.
“There’s something powerful about putting an author in front of a student and letting them see the person behind the story,” said Mark Justice, Senior Manager of Education and Community Relations at Cobb EMC. “Literacy Week helps make reading and writing feel more personal, creative and attainable, and we hope that realization stays with students long after the week is over.” Now in its 17th year, Literacy Week has impacted more than 266,000 students in schools throughout Cobb, Paulding, Cherokee, Bartow, and Fulton counties. Gas South, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Cobb EMC, joined the program in 2015 as a co-sponsor.
Literacy Week is held each year during the last full week of October, and this year included 11 authors and illustrators that shared their books and illustrations with students. This year’s program included Rosemary Wells of Max & Ruby fame and Caldecott Honoree Brian Lies.
“Literacy Week is a great example of what’s possible when organizations come together around a shared commitment to students and their future,” said Carley Stephens, Director of Corporate Giving at Gas South. “By bringing authors and students together, we’re creating memorable experiences that can build confidence, encourage curiosity and inspire a lifelong connection to reading.”
The program is offered to students from kindergarten through 12th grade. To learn more about the community programs at Cobb EMC and Gas South, visit CobbEMC.com/schools and GasSouth.com/giving-back.
Media Contact:
Krista Williams | pr@cobbemc.com
About Cobb EMC
Cobb EMC is a not-for-profit, member-owned electric cooperative. The company safely delivers reliable electricity to nearly 200,000 residential and commercial consumers in Cobb, Bartow, Cherokee, Fulton, and Paulding counties. Cobb EMC is consistently recognized for low-cost, reliable power, a commitment to renewable energy, and giving back to the communities it serves. Cobb EMC is one of the largest EMCs in the nation, and the company’s wholly-owned subsidiary Gas South is a leading provider of natural gas in the Southeast. For more information, visit www.CobbEMC.com.
About Gas South
Since 2026, Gas South has grown into a leading natural gas provider headquartered in Atlanta, serving nearly 500,000 residential, commercial, industrial and wholesale customers across the South, MidAtlantic and Midwest. Our purpose is to Be A Fuel For Good® by caring for our customers and employees and elevating our industry and communities. Our mission is to be the energy provider of choice by delivering exceptional value, service and simplicity. As part of our commitment to giving back, Gas South donates 5% of annual profits to help support children in need. Learn more at www.GasSouth.com.