Council partners with Lions for Summer Reading Programme

The Tokoroa City Lions and Putaruru Lions are once again partnering with South Waikato District Council to deliver the annual and very successful Library Summer Reading Programme.

"The children of the South Waikato are fortunate to have community groups like the Tokoroa City Lions and Putāruru Lions co-fund this programme," said Library Manager Lalita Sudhakar.

On behalf of the libraries Mayor Shattock expressed great appreciation to our community Lions groups for their continued support of children's reading through the annual Summer Reading Programme.

"Without the generosity of the Lions, this programme - aimed at encouraging children to read - would not be possible," said Mayor Shattock.

Tokoroa City Lions representative Jon Welch told how all the money Lions makes through fundraising (such as selling firewood) is given away, and how they hope to continue their support of this programme over the coming years.

Started in 1997 by the Eastern and Central Community Trust, the South Waikato Summer Reading Programme is in its nineteenth year. Each year sees a new theme, this year's being 'Sail into Reading'.

"Children are encouraged to read books to keep up their reading ability over the long summer break," explained Mrs Sudhakar. "Children can look forward to rewards and activity sheets too."

Mayor Shattock commented how "the world opens up when you've got a book"; remembering times from her own childhood where she would "get lost in a book". Getting lost in a book is indeed a joy that around 2,000 South Waikato children have experienced over the past 18 years.

The Summer Reading Programme is free for children aged from four to eleven, and who live in the South Waikato District. Words. Ends 274

Caption - At a special presentation ceremony on Monday 21 November, Mayor Jenny Shattock, Mrs Sudhakar and Community Services Librarian Desiree Morunga received a cheque for $2,000 from Lions representatives Jon Welch and Barbara Taylor.Pictured is Mayor Jenny Shattock, Jon Welch (Tokoroa City Lions); Lalita Sudhakar (Tokoroa Library Manager); Barbara Taylor (Tokoroa City Lions) and Desiree Morunga (Community Services Librarian).