Winter Reading Program: Pennies for Peace

When it's cold outside, there's really nothing better than settling in with a good book. And what if you could help underprivileged kids at the same time?

Starting today, kids can register for the New Lenox Library's Winter Reading Program. Now in its second year, the reading program gives kids a chance to change the world, one book at a time. Last year, readers raised money for the pups and cats at TLC Animal Shelter in Homer Glen.
This year, the charity of choice is Pennies for Peace, an organization founded by Greg Mortenson (humanitarian and author of the Three Cups of Tea books). Pennies for Peace is a global charity that promotes education, literacy and tolerance.

To register, participants just come into the library and donate one non-perishable food item. They are given a sheet of peace circles to track their reading time. For each 15 minutes they read, the participants fill in one of the peace signs on the peace circle. Each circle adds up to 2 hours, and when the circle is filled, kids can drop them off to be eligible for a weekly raffle.

In addition to the non-perishable food donation, we are asking that kids donate their pennies, too. It's suggested that for each 15 minutes they read, participants donate 15 pennies. These pennies will go to help students in underprivileged schools buy much needed supplies. But how can just pennies pay for anything? As little as one penny can buy a pencil, 15 pennies can buy a notebook, and only $20 is one child's school supplies for the entire year!

But what about the prizes?
The purpose of the winter reading program is to raise awareness for causes both local and international. Though we will offer bookmarks, weekly raffle prizes and certificates for those who finish, the program is more about teaching kids the small ways they can make a difference, while promoting literacy.

The program goes through February 27. For more information about the Pennies for Peace charity, visit www.penniesforpeace.org. To register, or with questions about the reading program, stop by the Children's Reference Desk.