Promoting literacy
PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — The United Way of Aroostook will host the first Book It for Reading Kids’ Fun Run and 5K on Saturday, Oct. 8, at Mantle Lake Park in Presque Isle.
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The event aims to help kids understand the importance of literacy.
“The United Way of Aroostook is working diligently to improve the lives of those who live in Aroostook County. Literacy is a skill that many of us take for granted, but has been shown to be a necessary tool to achieve a good quality of life,” said United Way Executive Director Sherry Locke. “By providing the tools to achieve literacy at a young age, we are hoping to prepare children for school and therefore success later in life.”
The “Book It for Reading” event was designed to promote a lifelong love of reading and help the United Way fund the literacy programs they provide to Aroostook County youth.
“Currently we are providing books to over 1,900 Aroostook County youth monthly through the Dolly Parton Imagination Library,” Locke said.
“In addition, we also provided summer reading materials to nearly 100 local students in our Summer Slide pilot program. We are hoping to grow both programs to reach even more children as results show these programs are working,” she said.
The first 50 registrants is each division will receive a free shirt, and all participants will select the book of their choice as they cross the finish line.
For more information about Book It For Reading, or to register, visit https://runsignup.com/Race/ME/PresqueIsle/BookItForReading.
