Hawks, Thrashers sponsor fifth Check-It-Out challenge
GPLS News, May 2009
Hawks basketball mascots Harry the Hawk and SkyHawk will make appearances at Atlanta-area libraries to promote the Check-it-Out Reading Challenge, as will Thrashers hockey mascot Thrash.
In partnership with Georgia Public Library Service, the Atlanta Hawks and Thrashers will once again challenge young readers to spend part of their summer's free time reading -- and earn basketball- and hockey-related rewards in the process. Designed to enhance this year's "Be Creative @ Your Library" summer reading program, the 2009 Hawks-Thrashers Check-it-Out Reading Challenge will target young readers entering classes from pre-K to grade 12 for the 2009-10 school year.
Hawks basketball mascots Harry the Hawk and SkyHawk will make appearances at Atlanta-area libraries to promote the program, as will Thrashers hockey mascot Thrash. The popular reading program has grown steadily, from an initial two counties in 2005 to 10 in 2007, then statewide last year. Since the program's inception, the teams have awarded nearly 50,000 Hawks and Thrashers tickets to the young readers who have participated.
Souvenir bookmarks promoting the program will be available at participating library branches beginning in late May. Registration will begin on June 1 and will again be conducted online. Any child enrolled in grades pre-K-12 in the state of Georgia may participate by having a parent or guardian log on to www.checkitoutreading.com, either on a home computer or a public-access computer at the library. Parents and guardians may register each child in their household for the program.
"The Atlanta Hawks and Thrashers are dedicated to improving the lives of Georgia's youth, and our education programs are one way we are able to do just that," said Tracy White, Hawks and Thrashers senior vice president of sales and marketing. "With last year's statewide program we were able to encourage students throughout Georgia to read. We hope that more kids than ever before will sign up for 2009, and we look forward to seeing them at Philips Arena in the fall."
As part of their partnership with GPLS, the Hawks and Thrashers will each sponsor three "Georgia Public Libraries Nights" next season, with discounted admission for employees of the state's public libraries and their friends and families. "It's great to have so many options like this to encourage kids to read," said Elaine Black, director of Youth Services for GPLS. "We believe our connection with the Hawks and Thrashers helped open the door for more kids than ever before to visit their public libraries last summer and join our summer reading programs."
For additional information on the Check-it-Out Reading Challenge and other Hawks and Thrashers programs, visit www.hawks.com and www.atlantathrashers.com.