B4B | SouthernPaddler.com

B4B

Kayak Jack

Well-Known Member
Aug 26, 2003
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Okemos / East Lansing Michigan
BIKES FOR BOOKS

B4B is Bikes For Books. Our Masonic Lodge# 252 in Okemos, Michigan, participates in the B4B program under our Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Michigan. Some programs work out better than others. This one is proving to be a real hum dinger! This is our third year at it, and it has grown each year to include more grades in more schools. And, a corporate partner! And local libraries working along with us.

The program is designed to encourage more reading by more kids. We target 3rd and 4th graders in local schools in Okemos and Haslett. We distribute entry forms where they document name, school, type of bike (boys or girls - many kids from many countries, and names aren't always the clue to gender), titles of books read, and verification by parent or teacher. Each entry form has room for seven books, and kids can read as many books as they want and turn in multiple entry forms.

You should see the eyes when we announce winners' names. They just dance. Childish excitement is contagious. Let me tell you that - when you have a program that engages and excites kids, parents, schools, libraries, and large businesses - THAT is community outreach. What a neat thing to be going.

Life is good.