The Lake County Public Library Foundation recognized first place winners of the annual Read-a-Thon at Avalon Manor in Merrillville on Tuesday, May 15. Foundation members: Charman Shields-Williamson, Arnette Bosch, Marti Ross, Tom Lounges, Michael McIntyre, and Tracy Anderson pose with the winners and their trophies: Berlyn Compton, Aowynn Cooper, James Aguila, Jacob Herrick, Emma Gray, Amanda Booker, Bernie Perea, Nolan Medrano, Kirk Turner, Petey Perea, Julian Jordan.
Each year the Foundation encourages schools in Gary, Merrillville, Cedar Lake, Dyer, Schererville, Griffith, Highland, Hobart, Lake Station, Munster, New Chicago, and St. John to promote reading. Children participate by seeking sponsors, then reading as many books as possible during the six-week read-a-thon. Once the money has been collected, schools receive one-third of the total raised by their students for their library. This year, 882 children participated and over $18,000 was given to the schools. Trophies were given to all students who raised money and gift cards from Target were given to students in first through eighth.