Reading Foundation Gives $50 Savings Bond to Child

The winner of the Children's Reading Foundation of the Tennessee Valley free drawing for a $50 U.S. Savings Bond is thirteen month young Edward A. G. Thompson and his mother Amanda of Kingston, TN.  "This may be the start of Edward's college fund," said Allen Lutz, board member for the Reading Foundation. Sixty-two children were entered into the drawing for the savings bond drawing.

The Children's Reading Foundation participated in the Kingston Country Fair on October 1.  Reading  Foundation volunteers Bonnie Anderson, Ralph Best, Sidney Horsfall and Allen Lutz talked with more than a hundred parents about the importance of reading to their child 20 minutes a day.

In addition to the Savings Bond drawing, more than 25 children received books donated by Roane Imagination Library, the local affiliate of Dolly Parton's early literacy program.  "The Children's Reading Foundation and Roane Imagination Library are working toward the same objective," said Jill McMaster, Roane Imagination Library coordinator, "instilling in children a love of reading and books."

"This is the first of many events in which the Reading Foundation will participate," said Jim Leitnaker, President of the Children's Reading Foundation of the Tennessee Valley.  "On October 13, we will participate in the Kingston Elementary School's Fall Festival.  There will be another savings bond drawing and we will have lots of information about the importance of reading to one’s children before they enter school and while in elementary school."   

"Because parents want the best for their children," said Allen Lutz, "we encourage them to begin a parenting practice which will benefit their child the rest of his or her life—reading aloud together 20 minutes a day from birth through elementary school. Children whose parents read with them learn to read early and well. It's as simple as that!"