Atlanta sports teams are big supporters of reading, literacy, and the Georgia Public Library Service! This summer the Atlanta Braves and the Atlanta Hawks are offering up reading challenges to kids of all ages to get the chance to win free tickets to see a game. Read on to learn more about the "Home Run Readers" challenge and the "Check it out Reading Challenge." And don't forget, the Summer Reading Program at the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System kicks off June 1!
Home Run Readers: This summer, the Atlanta Braves are again
partnering with Georgia Public Library Service (GPLS) for the 2014 Atlanta
Braves Summer Reading Program, "Home Run Readers,"presented by
SUBWAY.The popular educational outreach program encourages students
to build a love for reading, as well as advance their reading skills during the
summer months.
Home Run Readers rewards students in grades K-12
throughout the state of Georgia with a free Braves ticket and a free SUBWAY
"Fresh Fit For Kids Meal" for reading books and completing an online
activity. Discounted tickets for accompanying family members and friends will
be available for each game for as low as $12 each.
All-Star first baseman Freddie Freeman is serving as the
Braves’ ambassador for the program's second year. Program-related events are
planned at libraries and at Turner Field throughout the summer.
Reward tickets can be redeemed up to one week in advance
for any of the five following games:
• Tuesday, June 3, versus the Seattle Mariners; •
Tuesday, July 22, versus the Miami Marlins; • Sunday, Aug. 17, versus the
Oakland Athletics; • Tuesday, Sept. 2, versus the Philadelphia Phillies; and •
Tuesday, Sept. 23, versus the Pittsburgh Pirates.
We are so excited to continue this partnership between the Braves and Georgia’s public libraries," said Julie Walker, Georgia's deputy state librarian. Reading incentives such as this are a great way to help young people develop a love for reading while providing fun for the entire family. Home Run Readers and its related events will be excellent examples of our three organizations' joint commitment to communities across the state.
Home Run Readers is open to all Georgia students in
grades K-12. The sign-up period runs through Aug. 24. Program rules, a list of suggested titles, registration
information and redemption forms are available online at www.braves.com/reading.
For more information, please contact:
David Baker
Director, Communications & Strategic Partnerships
Georgia Public Library Service
1800 Century Place, Suite 150
Atlanta, GA 30345
404.235.7131 phone
404.235.7201 fax dbaker@georgialibraries.org
Check it out Reading Challenge: Hoops will lead to whoops this summer at Georgia’s public
libraries, as the Atlanta Hawks and GPLS celebrate summer reading with the 10th
annual Check-It-Out Reading Challenge (CIORC). The longest continually running program of its type, the CIORC
encourages young readers to earn basketball-related rewards through reading.
Designed to enhance this year’s national Fizz, Boom, Read! summer reading
program, the Hawks’ 2014 CIORC will welcome young readers entering classes from
pre-K to grade 12 for the 2014-15 school year.
Hawks mascot Harry will make personal appearances at
libraries in Metro Atlanta to promote the program, and souvenir bookmarks
promoting CIORC are now available at participating library branches across the
state. Registration is now underway and will be conducted online through August
30.
Any child enrolled in grades pre-K through 12 in the state
of Georgia may participate by having a parent or guardian log on to www.checkitoutreading.com, either
on a home computer or a public-access computer at the library. Parents and
guardians may register each child in their household for the program. As many
as six participating children may attend a Hawks game together when accompanied
by at least one adult who has purchased a ticket.
Check-It-Out Reading and the Atlanta Hawks are proud to announce our 10th edition of this program and to encourage students to continue reading throughout the summer months in preparation for the upcoming school year, said Eric Platte, senior manager of the Atlanta Hawks. As an avid reader myself, I'm proud of the success of this program and of watching our students flourish.
As part of their decade-long partnership with GPLS, the
Hawks will sponsor a number of “Georgia Public Libraries Nights” during the
2014-15 regular season, with discounted admission for employees of the state’s
public libraries and their friends and families.
It's great to have this support for summer reading from our partners, especially in times of economic challenge, said Elaine Black, director of Youth Services for GPLS. From the beginning of our relationship — which has introduced many new families to summer reading — public libraries have benefited greatly from our connection to the Hawks.
Sports serve to inspire us in many different ways, said State Librarian Dr. Lamar Veatch, and we’re proud that Georgia’s public libraries are working together with organizations like the Atlanta Hawks and Atlanta Braves to motivate young readers to continue their education and have fun reading during the summer months.
For additional information on CIORC and other Hawks- and
National Basketball Association-sponsored educational programs, visit www.hawks.com.
