STUDENTS in grades 7 through 12 can enter to win this 26-inch mountain bike on display in the Young Adult library located on the first floor! A total of six bikes plus helmets for riders and readers of all ages will be drawn in the raffle next Thursday, July 11, all courtesy of North Reading Walmart. (Emily Klesaris Photo)

 

 


By MAUREEN DOHERTY

NORTH READING — The staff at the Flint Memorial Library reports a very successful and busy start to the “Galaxy of Readers” summer reading program, which is open to children as well as adults. All participants qualify to win raffle tickets for dozens of prizes donated by sponsors.

“This year, so far, we have 469 children registered: 112 for the “Rubber Ducky Club,” 311 for grades 1-6, and 46 for young adults in grades 7-12,” said Program Coordinator Emily Klesaris. Registration is rolling so readers are invited to participate at anytime now through August 9.

Adults 18+ are not required to register and simply keep track of their reading using the Bingo card they pick up at the library.

“I am thrilled to share that we have over 30 sponsors in total — 17 are adult prizes for 18+ patrons and 14 are prizes for children in grade 1 and older and young adults (tweens & teens),” Klesaris said.

Among the prizes are six bikes with helmets donated by Walmart of North Reading. “Two have training wheels for little kids, three are regular bicycles for kids, and one is for teens in grades 7-12. The winners for all six bikes will be drawn on July 11 so that they can be used throughout the summer,” Klesaris said. All other raffle prizes will be drawn at the end of the summer.

How to participate:

  • Children entering kindergarten and younger can register for the “Rubber Ducky Club.” They can win one rubber ducky a week by completing different literacy activities in addition to reading (like singing a nursery rhyme, or attending a library program). Registration required; they must collect their rubber duck. In the Children’s Room
  • Children in grades 1-6 can register and track their reading by coloring in stars on their tracker sheet. Each star is worth 15 minutes of reading. They earn one pink raffle ticket for every 5 stars completed. Registration required; raffle tickets and prize boxes in the Children’s Room.
  • Children in grades 7-12 (young adults) can register and track their reading with a 3×3 bingo sheet. They earn one orange raffle ticket for each square completed. Registration required; prize boxes located on the 1st floor in the YA section. Collect raffle tickets on the 1st floor or 4th floor Children’s Room.
  • Adults (18+) do not need to register. Track progress with a 5×5 bingo sheet that they can pick up at the reference or circulation desks on the 1st floor. They earn a blue raffle ticket for each square completed. Fill the board to earn 5 additional raffle tickets.

RAFFLE PRIZES

  • Andrea’s Pizza (North Reading) donated a certificate for 2 free cheese pizzas
  • Big Dipper Ice Cream (North Reading) donated two $25 gift cards
  • Boda Borg Boston (Malden) donated $140 value escape room experience
  • Boston Duck Tours (Boston) donated two free tickets valued at $106
  • Boston Flower Market (North Reading) donated a $25 gift card
  • Burton’s Grill & Bar (Lynnfield) donated a $100 gift card
  • The Butterfly Place (Westford) donated two $25 gift cards
  • China Cuisine (North Reading) donated a $50 gift card
  • Cervizzi’s Martial Arts Academy donated a certificate for 4 weeks of group classes
  • Cowabunga’s (North Reading) donated two 2-hour play passes
  • The Dancing School (North Reading) donated a gift basket including a $50 gift card and teddy bear
  • Discovery Museum (Acton) donated four free tickets ($68 value)
  • Fuddrucker’s (Reading) donated a giant stack of coupons for a free milkshake
  • Ginger Gourmet (North Reading) donated four $15 gift card
  • The Hornet’s Nest (North Reading) donated a certificate 2 free cheese pizzas
  • Horseshoe Grille (North Reading) donated a $25 gift card and $5 off coupon
  • Kitty’s Restaurant (North Reading) donated a $50 gift card
  • Lobster Claw (North Reading) donated a $100 gift card
  • Market Basket (Reading) donated a $50 gift card
  • Mario’s Ristorante (North Reading) donated two $50 gift cards
  • Nan’s Café (North Reading) donated two $25 gift cards
  • Nick’s Place (North Reading) donated a $30 gift card
  • Polished Nails (North Reading) donated five $20 gift cards
  • Salon 77 (North Reading) donated a gift basket including hair products, body lotion, a tumbler, stickers and gift card
  • Topsfield Fair (Topsfield) donated for every child in grades 1-6 who completes the challenge two ride tickets and a lunch ticket
  • Walmart (North Reading) donated six bikes and six helmets
  • Wamesit Lanes (Tewksbury) donated a certificate for 2 free hours of bowling
  • Whitelam Books (Reading) donated four $10 gift cards
  • Windkist Equestrian Center (North Andover) donated 2 months of riding lessons ($800 value)
  • Xtreme Craze (Woburn) donated a gift certificate for free access to one session of laser tag or the inflatable park for a party of 5.