| Today, Congressman Dale E. Kildee (D-MI) presented Lauren Preston, a fourth-grade student at Hill Elementary School in Davison, with the 2001 National RIF Reader Award. Lauren Preston became this year’s National RIF Reader after participating in a reading challenge program developed by Reading is Fundamental, Inc. RIF Chairman Lynda Johnson Robb randomly selected Lauren’s entry from among thousands of children who participated in the RIF Reading Challenge.
Reading Is Fundamental, Inc., the nation’s largest children’s literacy organization, helps prepare young children for reading and also motivates school-age children to read regularly. Last year, RIF programs provided 14 million new, free books and other essential literacy resources to more than 4 million children. This year, RIF is celebrating its 35th anniversary and the milestone of putting more than 200 million books in the hands and homes of America’s neediest children.
The RIF National Reading Challenge is an integral part of the annual RIF National Reading Celebration sponsored by Metropolitan Life Foundation. The challenge encourages children to set and meet their own goals for non-school related reading during a two-week, midwinter period. This nationwide challenge emphasizes the importance of reading and helps motivate children to read for pleasure.
“Aside from reading to achieve academic excellence, we must encourage our youth to read for pleasure and entertainment”, said Congressman Dale Kildee (D-MI). “By developing a passion for reading, children will be able to explore their own creativity and imagination.”
In addition to accepting the award, Lauren will receive a $500 U.S. Savings Bond and a $300 gift certificate to purchase books. Lauren’s elementary school will also receive a $300 gift certificate to purchase books for their library and classrooms. The RIF program at Hill Elementary School in Davison, Michigan receives federal funding through RIF’s contract with the U.S. Department of Education and raises a 25% local matching share. The Parent Teacher Organization at the school also raises additional local funding. |
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