'Wild About Reading' Program Kicks Off Wednesday
January 4, 2010 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Fresno Grizzlies News Release
FRESNO, CA - The Fresno Grizzlies Community Fund will launch its extensive, award-winning educational program "Wild About Reading" at Lincoln Elementary School this Wednesday, January 6 at 11:00am. "Wild About Reading," presented by the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) and Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E), reaches more than 60,000 Valley students and utilizes the fun and excitement of Grizzlies baseball as an incentive to promote reading.
This year all participating schools will be treated to a brand new kick-off assembly based on a new book starring Parker, the Grizzlies' beloved mascot. At each of the 150-plus schools involved, Grizzlies staff and Parker will read and act out "Parker Goes on Vacation," a humorous children's book that touches on themes of energy conservation and environmental stewardship. Each student at participating schools will then be challenged to read 10 books in five weeks to earn two free tickets to a 2010 Grizzlies game at Chukchansi Park.
Now in its seventh year, the "Wild About Reading" program will open with an assembly at Lincoln Elementary School in Fresno this Wednesday at 11:00am. Lincoln Elementary has helped the Grizzlies kick off the "Wild About Reading" program for four consecutive years. Over the next three months leading up to Opening Day, Parker and the Grizzlies staff will visit more than 150 schools and 60,000 students in Fresno, Kings, Madera, Mariposa, Merced, and Tulare counties.
"This program is truly a measure of the depth of our commitment to the entire Valley community," said Grizzlies Executive Vice President Andrew Stuebner. "We have expanded 'Wild About Reading' every year to include more children and more schools, and we are proud to say that it has become one of the largest educational initiatives in professional sports."
Last year, "Wild About Reading" was honored with the Fresno Compact Business Partner Award. With the strong nexus between quality education and school business partnerships in mind, the Fresno Compact annually acknowledges 10 businesses that have contributed not only financial resources, but also staff to support schools in Fresno County.
The Fresno Grizzlies return to Chukchansi Park on Friday, April 16 for their home opener of the 2010 season. For information regarding 2010 season ticket, mini plan, and group packages, or the popular internet mini-series "I Hate The OffSeason", visit FresnoGrizzlies.com , or follow the team at Twitter.com/FresnoGrizzlies and Facebook.com/FresnoGrizzlies.
Pacific Coast League Stories from January 4, 2010
- 'Wild About Reading' Program Kicks Off Wednesday - Fresno Grizzlies
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