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Donation Makes Summer Reading a Real Book Feast for Children
May 31, 2006 INFORMATION RELEASE Media Contact: Heather O'Connell Donation makes summer reading a real "Book Feast" for children FORT MYERS, Fla., May 31, 2006- A generous donation from Lee County Chick-Fil-A restaurants will ensure that every child enrolling in Lee County Library System's "Book Feast" Summer Reading Team program receives a free book. Chick-Fil-A has given the library system 7,000 books for school age readers up to fifth grade which will be distributed to children as they register for this year's summer reading program, along with a bookmark style coupon for a free Kid's Meal. "Chick-Fil-A wants to encourage interaction between kids and parents, and to be sure that children are nourished physically as well as mentally," says Fort Myers store manager Kevin van der Kooy. "The Chick-Fil-A corporate philosophy is to have a positive influence on all who come in contact with us, and this book promotion is a perfect fit." The fact that the 2006 Summer Reading Team theme is "Book Feast" makes it even more appropriate. "We are very happy to work with Chick-Fil-A to put a book into children's hands that they may take home and keep," says Karen Sloan, Development Specialist for Lee County Library System. "The value of the donation is estimated at over $40,000. Although our Summer Reading Team program provides other incentives for kids to read throughout the summer months, this donation allows us to provide something beyond what our normal budget would afford," adds Sloan. The books cover topics like sports, crafts, world cultures and U.S. landmarks. Each is about 24 pages and contains colorful illustrations in addition to easy-to-understand information. Lee County Library System's summer reading programs are part of the statewide Florida Library Youth Program. Children ages six and over are invited to join the team and read for prizes, be entertained by puppet shows, magic shows, creative dramatics, storytelling, animal shows and more. Additional summer reading programs are offered for infants – preschool age children and for tweens and teens entering middle – high school. A complete schedule of activities for all summer reading programs is available at any Lee County Library System library location or on the library website at www.lee-county.com/library
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