Mayor Brown Hosts 10th Annual Kids Summer Reading Challenge Award Ceremony

Record Number of 1,400 Complete Program

For the 10th consecutive year, Mayor Byron W. Brown handed out certificates of achievement and an assortment of prizes to children from across Western New York who successfully completed his “Reading Rules! Kids Summer Reading Challenge.”

“For the past ten years, this program has been extremely beneficial for many local youth and their families,” said Mayor Brown. “It is my firm belief that in order to succeed academically, our children must become skilled in reading and writing. It is critical to practice reading and writing over the summer to maintain skills learned during the previous school year.”

In celebration of the 10th anniversary of the program, every child that completed the Summer Reading Challenge received a raffle prize.

A record number of 1,400 completed the Summer Reading Challenge this year. In 2010, nearly 1,000 kids participated. Each student was required to read 7 books at or above their grade level, write summaries for each book and submit them by the predetermined deadline.

“I started this reading challenge as a State Senator, after learning of the declining reading scores on statewide tests among elementary school children,” said Mayor Brown. “Ten years later, thousands of kids continue to work on their reading and writing each summer through this fun and rewarding program. Participation has grown each year, and I am proud of both the children and their parents for remaining committed to reading during the summer.”

This year’s sponsors include area businesses, financial institutions and cultural institutions that join the Mayor Brown in his acknowledgement of the kids’ achievements.

Darien Lake Theme Park and Resort donated 1,000 Fright Fest admission tickets valued at approximately $30,000 to the children who successfully completed the Summer Reading Challenge. 

Also sponsoring the Summer Reading Challenge is the Police Athletic League of Buffalo, Thinkfinity Verizon Foundation, Rosen Publishing, Rent-A-Center, M&T Bank, Veolia Water, Dollar General, West Herr New York, General Mills, AT&T, National Fuel, Buffalo Teachers Federation, Alternative Information Systems, Variety Kids Telethon, Tops Friendly Markets, Delaware North Companies, Lamparelli Construction, Buffalo Public Schools, Buffalo Metropolitan Federal Credit Union, Wal-Mart, UPS, 2 Find Your Home, Project Flight, Buffalo and Erie County Historical Society, Buffalo Niagara Convention Center, Read to Succeed Buffalo, Intense Milks, Buffalo and Erie County Public Library, ADPRO Sports, Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens, Buffalo Museum of Science, Lamar Outdoor Advertising, Desi’s Produce, Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural Site, Buffalo and Erie County Naval & Military Park, The Hatch Restaurant, Darien Lake Theme Park and Resort, Wendy’s, Albright-Knox Art Gallery, Buffalo Zoo and Martin’s Fantasy Island. 

The prize pack that each student received includes free admission passes to: Buffalo Zoo, Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens, Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural Site, Naval & Military Park, Buffalo Museum of Science, Albright-Knox Art Gallery, and the Buffalo & Erie County Historical Society; a box of General Mills cereal, free books, a Reading Rules! t-shirt, discount coupons to local retailers, and much more.

Prizes in the raffle include: laptop and complete desktop computers, 100 bicycles, skateboards, scooters, Sony Playstations, CD players, gift certificates, and much more.