Ready, Set, Read!

The Portage Public Library pulled out all the stops this summer, under the direction of Dawn Foster.  Winning the attention of the Portage youth with the summer reading initiative, “Ready, Set, Read!,” Mrs. Foster understands that getting our kids to read literally makes them smarter.  Portage kids read over 1,000 hours this summer.  Scans show increased white matter of the brain after intensive reading.  The brain literally ‘reorganizes” itself when reading.  It’s kind of like what you need to do with your garage.  She’s not only making kids smarter, she’s also bringing the community together.  On Tuesday, July 26, The Portage Family Skate Park was honored to share the spotlight  at the Portage Public Library, along with the Portage Community Garden, directed by Charles Bradley, and the Portage Lunch Program, lead by Pastor Dave Hankins of the Presbyterian Church.   Students in the summer reading program voted for their top 3 favorite community charities every time they completed a reading assignment.  The Portage Family Skate Park was so glad to spend the night with these great kids and very proud to the the #1 choice.  The Library awarded each of these charities with money.  The Portage Family Skate Park took home $200 for future additions.  This event inspired us and the kids spurred us on to do more.  Mrs. Foster, with her staff, and student volunteers are doing a great job building a better future, one book at a time.  Be sure to to send Mrs. Foster a note of thanks for her great work in our community.

The winning charity, The Portage Family Skate Park, is represented by Kyle Little, Andrew Tamminga, and Jared Pierson. Reader, Ally Saloun and her brother (and teen volunteer) Jeremy Saloun, present a check for $200.00.