PRESS RELEASE:

On Saturday, January 10, children meeting their required reading goals of KUED's 16th Annual READING MARATHON will be rewarded with a day of fun at the KUED Super Reader Party at the State Fairgrounds Grand Building. Jacqui Voland, KUED Outreach Coordinator, says the program encourages children and their families to spend quality time reading together.

Partners KUED, Utah's Public Libraries, Boys & Girls Club, Utah PTA, SL CAP Head Start, Hogle Zoo, Clark Planetarium, Utah Museum of Natural History, Davis Education Foundation and edutainers Mad Science, magicians and dancers all gather to provide children with a rewarding experience, celebrating in a fun and educational environment. Special guests Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Coroon and family will be stopping by to join in the fun.

The event takes over both floors of the Grand Building, with fun learning activities on the lower level, entertainment and book give-aways on the upper level. PBS Pals Curious George, Sid the Science Kid, and Martha from Martha speaks will also be on hand to congratulate the kids on their reading achievements.

Fostering an early love of learning and reading is a cornerstone of a successful academic experience, another of which is parental engagement. "KUED believes through educational outreach and award-winning programs, we can support the incredible effort put forth by our partner agencies and complement the work already being accomplished in the community< Voland said.

Each child receives a free activity from more than 10 booths, a choice of one free book from the KUED book giveaway and a healthy snack donated by Frito Lay, Utah Dairy Council, Cream O' Weber, Harmon's Grocery and Nicholas and Company.

For more information or interview opportunities on event day, please contact; Eve Mary Verde, 801-205-6000 or Jacqui Voland at 801-726-9670.

Local and National Funder Credits

Reading Marathon is made possible in part by Nu Skin and Target.

In Kind sponsors; Utah State Fairpark, Cream O' Weber, Dairy Council of Utah, Nicholas and Company, Inc., Utah's Hogle Zoo and Clark Planetarium.

Ready To Learn educational events and services on KUED-Channel 7 are made possible by the Sorenson Legacy Foundation, the Emma Eccles Jones Foundation, United Way of Salt Lake, the George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation, Qwest, U.S. Bank, The University of Utah, and the Utah Education Association.

Community Partners of KUED's 2008 READING MARATHON are Salt Lake City Public Library, Salt Lake County Library System, Park City and Summit County libraries, Davis County libraries, Utah State Library Division, Salt Lake CAP Head Start, Utah's Hogle Zoo, Utah Museum of Natural History, Intermountain Therapy Animals, REFORMA de Utah, Clark Planetarium, Boys' & Girls' Clubs of Greater Salt Lake, Utah PTA, University Neuropsychiatric Institute (UNI), Davis Education Foundation, and The Governor's Commission on Literacy.