HOULTON, Maine — Organizers of the second annual Book It for Reading event are hoping for a bigger and better turnout this year.
On Saturday, July 22, at the John Millar Civic Center in Houlton, a 5-kilometer run and 1-mile fun run will be held with proceeds benefitting the United Way’s Dolly Parton Imagination Library early literacy program.
The United Way of Aroostook works to improve the lives of those who live in Aroostook County. Literacy is a skill that many take for granted, but has been shown to be a necessary tool to achieve a good quality of life. 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.
“Book It for Reading” was founded to promote a lifelong love of reading and to help the United Way of Aroostook fund its literacy programs that provide for Aroostook County youth. Currently the agency provides books to over 2,150 Aroostook County youth monthly through the Dolly Parton Imagination Library.
In addition it gave almost 650 children books and supplies through Summer Slide, of which all of Aroostook County’s first graders participated in the program. We are hoping to grow both programs to reach even more children as results show these programs are working.
The first 50 registrants receive a free tshirt and all registrants will select the book of their choice as they cross the finish line.
To register, visit https://runsignup.com/Race/ME/Houlton/BookItForReadingHOULTON.
