Read-A-Thon to benefit Besore during October; kickoff is Saturday

A Read-A-Thon is the same as a walk-a-thon in that participants get sponsors for the number of miles walked — or, in this case, the total number of hours spent reading that turns into money to benefit the Lilian S. Besore Memorial Library’s Capital Campaign. The days of October will be time for “Everybody Reads” in the Greencastle-Antrim School District. Adults and students from pre-kindergarten through senior high are being asked to participate in the program.

It is the hope of the Besore Board that the campaign to remodel and enlarge the Greencastle library will begin with renovations in the spring of 2012, pending donations received this year. Additional funds are needed to complete the expansion of the library building.

Prizes are set for various age groups in the reading program. The adult who brings in the most money for their time spent reading, can earn a ski package to Whitetail valued at over $170. The student in high school and in the middle school who reads enough to lead in the amount of money to be donated will each receive a Kindle 3G + wi-fi, one donated by Reed Machinery of Greencastle, and one donated by Wayne and Sharon Baumbaugh.

Children in the elementary and primary schools will have a chance to earn two prizes in each building. Pizza (donated by Tony’s Restaurant and by Papa John’s) and popsicle parties are for the class reading the most number of hours and for the class raising the highest amount of money through their sponsor’s flat donation or amount pledged for each hour of reading. Pre-kindergarten students can earn a popsicle party for their reading time for a flat pledge or specified amount per hour. On the day the elementary and primary schools have their parties there will be some guest readers in the classroom to add to the fun.

Other prizes include Red Lobster gift certificates and a Kindle e-reader. All the elementary and primary participants will receive a bookmark from the Friends of the Lilian S. Besore Memorial Library organization. There is also a football donated by Penn State Mont Alto Alumni Relations.

Information will either come home with the students or is available at the library for any and all interested in participating in the fund-raiser.

The kickoff for the program will be held in the library Saturday, Oct. 1 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Community members will be on hand as readers to the younger crowd and older youth and adults are also invited. Refreshments will be available.