By Joseph Cyr
Staff Writer
HOULTON —What child doesn’t love a new bicycle?
Thanks to the “Bikes for Books” national program sponsored locally by the Masons, 30 lucky school children will receive a new bike, provided they meet their school’s requirement for reading. Now in its third year locally, the program has grown from six bicycles in the first year to 30 bikes for students at five schools this year, according to Bruce Folsom, a past master for Monument Lodge No. 96.
Twelve bikes will be presented to Hodgdon Mill Pond School, while six bicycles will be presented to both Houlton Southside and Elementary schools; and three will go to both Wellington Elementary School and Greater Houlton Christian Academy.
Students in grades 1-6 are eligible to participate in the program, Folsom said. Each school must come up with its own criteria for how many books a student must read to participate, but the bottom line of getting children to read more is the ultimate goal.
“We leave it up to each school to decide how many books and reports they have to do to get their name in the drawing for the bike,” Folsom said. “The bottom line is, the more they read, the better chance they have to win a bike.”
Bicycles are purchased directly from Huffy and assembled by members of the Masons. Helmets are provided with every bike.
“We’ve talked to the local police about having a safety class when we present the winners,” Folsom said. “Not only does this program encourage reading, but it will also help promote exercise.”
Schools are asked to start their programs on Feb. 25 continuing through May 24.
For more information, contact Folsom at 532-7400.
