Justin and Lauran Tuck donate $250,000 to literacy initiative

Recommended Video:

Raiders defensive lineman Justin Tuck and his wife Lauran are donating $250,000 to provide books and support for literacy-enhancing programs for low-income Bay Area children.

The grant, The Chronicle has learned, is the lead contribution to a literacy initiative called “The Read Zone” by the 50 Fund, the legacy fund of the San Francisco Bay Area Super Bowl 50 Host Committee.

“I am so excited,” Lauran Tuck said Tuesday. “There is a great need in the Bay Area and we said, ‘We’ll do the first grant. This has to happen.’”

Tuck’s R.U.S.H. for Literacy program — founded in 2008 — will be giving the grant as a dollar-for-dollar match for Bay Area summer book clubs to purchase new books from First Book, which distributes books to more than 3,000 programs in the Bay Area. Kids also now can get free access to myOn, the world’s largest interactive digital library.

“You don’t get this chance at this kind of Super Bowl platform often,” Justin Tuck said. “It’s a huge event, especially here with two NFL teams and Silicon Valley close by. ... How many countries are going to be watching? This is a chance for not only us to have an impact, but to make this one of the biggest philanthropy-driven events, not just Super Bowls.”

The Tucks are joining other organizations and community partners to help struggling kids catch up when school is out.

“Lower-income students don’t fare as well as their wealthier counterparts when it comes to the summer slide,” Lauran Tuck said. “They are not able to take advantage of summer camps or tutors.”

Jason Trimiew, vice president of community relations for the host committee, said the “opportunity gap” for a number of young children in the Bay Area has to be closed.

Justin Tuck, shown signing his contract, may become the new face of the Raiders. The free agent defensive end not only surprised by folks leaving the New York Giants to sign with Oakland, but he then became an active recruiter to get others to play for the Silver and Black. less Justin Tuck, shown signing his contract, may become the new face of the Raiders. The free agent defensive end not only surprised by folks leaving the New York Giants to sign with Oakland, but he then became an ... more Photo: Tony Gonzales, Oakland Raiders Photo: Tony Gonzales, Oakland Raiders Image 1 of / 4 Caption Close Justin and Lauran Tuck donate $250,000 to literacy initiative 1 / 4 Back to Gallery

“Especially kids reaching that third-grade milestone, which has been linked to their ability to successfully complete school,” he said. “Eighty-four percent of low-income kids pass that milestone without being able to read at that grade level.”

Now that Justin Tuck has written the big check, the 6-foot-5, 265-pound ambassador plans to knock on some doors.

“I want to get more people involved, people who can make big contributions,” he said. “Maybe not $250,000, but $25,000. We just want to pay it forward.”

Last year, R.U.S.H. worked with Alliance Academy, a middle school in Oakland. Now, with the 50 Fund, it will reach all nine counties in the Bay Area, plus Sacramento and Santa Cruz counties.

Vic Tafur is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. E-mail: vtafur@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @VicTafur