Children encouraged to read
CMU’s Make a Difference Reading Day began four years ago with 60 children.
Saturday, coordinators made room for 1,000 children and 300 volunteers at the fourth-annual event in Finch Fieldhouse.
“This year has been the biggest turnout yet and we are excited to see it grow,” said Enrollment Adviser Steve Rellinger, the event’s coordinator.
Rellinger said the event, which was sponsored by CMU Off-Campus Programs, has been in planning since January of 2005.
The goal of the event was to encourage children to read.
Children had the opportunity to participate in the Dog Tales program, which is an organization that provides dogs for young children to read in order to build their confidence in reading aloud.
The kids also took part in arts and crafts exercises, making bookmarks and headbands.
Aside from reading, children could have their faces painted, watch live entertainment and learn safety tips from local law enforcement agencies.
“The event is fun, but is a little more arts and crafty than reading promoting,” said Clare resident Jill Haring, who attended Saturday’s event.
More than 2,400 books were donated, and each child in attendance received a gift bag containing pencils, paper and other school supplies.
