Read-A-Thon to Support Huguenot Children’s Library

New Rochelle’s elementary school students are invited to join the Funtastic Read-A-Thon at the Huguenot Children’s Library from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday.

Children are being asked to invite their friends, family and neighbors to pledge donations for every book or chapter they read during the Funtastic Read-A-Thon. To participate, parents may pick up a flyer at the Huguenot Children’s Librray  to register by June 11. Walk-in participants the day of the event also are welcome.

"The Read-A-Thon is a great way to encourage our children to read, give them a sense of pride in their reading accomplishments and support the library created and programmed just for them," said Joan Travers, who is organizing the event.
"The day is designed for all of the city’s elementary students, from pre-readers to pre-teens and their families."

The Funtastic Read-A-Thon will include snacks, giveaways and guest readers, including Mayor Noam Bramson, Ward School Principal Franco Miele, a firefighter, a cartoonist, a pastry chef and Julianne Leghorn, a New Rochelle High School graduate now majoring in English and theater at Carleton College.

Special guest Zev Haber, popular children's singer and musician, will be stopping by to sing a few songs and root on the readers.

"The Huguenot Children's Library is a special place that makes the reading experience fun for countless youngsters," Bramson said. "Now that my own children are concluding kindergarten and first grade, I appreciate more than ever the role that reading plays in expanding young minds, and it is a special pleasure for me to participate in this event."

Mieli said he was proud to be reading at the Huguenot Children's Library.

"The library plays a big part in the lives of children and adults alike. Young children, especially, benefit from what the library has to offer, from children's programs, special events and the many resources that are available here," he said. "Reading is so important and we need to encourage our youth to develop a love for reading. The best way to do this is by example, which is one of the reasons I am participating."

Participants can stay a short time or stay for the entire five hours! There will also be a special Pajama Hour Story Time from 7 to 8 p.m., so that children can bring their pajamas or come back and get comfortable for some after-dinner fun.

All funds raised will benefit the non-profit Partnership for the Huguenot Children’s Library, which provides programming, such as the Summer Fun Series, and enhancements not covered by the regular operating budget.

The Huguenot Children’s Library is located at 794 North Ave., at the corner of Eastchester Road.

For further details about the Read-A-Thon, or to register to participate, contact Barb Francella at barbfrancella@aol.com. For more information about the Partnership for the Huguenot Children’s Library or to make a donation visit www.partnershipforthehcl.org.

EDITOR'S NOTE: This article has been modified from its original version with the inclusion of comments from Ward school Principal Franco Mieli.