KNME-TV and Wendy’s joined together to encourage children to read in the “Reading Makes a Difference Challenge!” Students at Albuquerque Title I elementary schools were encouraged to read as many pages as possible for 30 days, beginning April 1, to help donate books to the UNM Pediatric Oncology Department.
On Friday, Oct. 13, Dave Fike of Wendy’s will present a copy of the book “The Jester Lost His Jingle,” to the UNM Pediatric Oncology Department. The remaining books will be delivered to the hospital the following week.
Each child receiving treatment at UNM, will receive a copy of the book. There are approximately 300 children in the state of New Mexico currently undergoing treatment at the UNM Pediatric Oncology Department.
Wendy’s sponsored the “Reading Makes a Difference Challenge,” in conjunction with KNME-TV and the national summer airing of the PBS mini-series, “A Lion in the House,” which focused on pediatric cancer patients.
As part of the “Reading Makes a Difference Challenge,” KNME and Wendy’s created literacy tips to help parents find practical ways to encourage their children to read. These tips can be seen on KNME-TV.
The top readers from each grade at the participating schools received a pendant, bookmark, and set of “Clifford the Big Red Dog” books. To each school library, Wendy’s also donated a set of Clifford books, a copy of the book “The Jester Has Lost His Jingle,” by David Saltzman, and a Jester doll. All participating children received a certificate of achievement.
A total of 1,800 students, within the following schools, participated in the “Reading Makes a Difference Challenge:”
McCollum Elementary - 447 students
Principal: Ms. Letha Oman,
Librarian: Ms. Susie Fresquez
Eugene Field Elementary - 406 students
Principal: James Lujan
Eubank Elementary - 437 students
Principal: Karen Butchart
Hawthorne Elementary- 520 students
Principal: Debbie Montoya
Wendy’s will continue the “Reading Makes a Difference Challenge” in Title I schools this upcoming school year, and hopes to include more schools. The goal is to encourage children in Title I schools to read and to get active in making a difference in their community.
For more information about the program, please contact Evy Todd at (505) 277-1218 or via e-mail, etodd@knme.org.
Media Contact: Carolyn Gonzales, (505) 277-5920; e-mail: cgonzal@unm.edu