The Duke Dog exchanges boxing gloves for bifocals so he can help participate in a local children’s reading program
Posted on September 27, 2007
In the university setting, where reading is often considered work rather than relaxing, it can be easy to forget the luxury of a full library. However, many school aged children do not have easy access to books. This weekend Barnes and Noble of Harrisonburg, together with JMU’s Duke Dog Reading Program, will be holding an event to raise money for books for elementary school children.
“Barnes and Noble has a commitment to work alongside literacy and reading programs within the community,” said community relations manager of the Harrisonburg Barnes and Noble, Annie Hololob.
Starting this Saturday at 8 a.m. and lasting until Monday at 11 p.m., a percentage of all purchases made at the Harrisonburg Barnes and Noble will go toward a donation made to the JMU Duke Dog Reading Program.
“These purchases can go toward the fund by presenting a special voucher that will be handed out during this Saturday’s football game, presenting this article, or simply requesting that the purchase will to go towards the fund at the time of checkout,” Hololob said.
This money will then be presented to the Duke Dog Reading Program.
“The money goes into the program itself, and with the money we hope to be able to donate more books to the schools,” Gerlando said.
The Duke Dog Reading program has been promoting literacy in community elementary schools for more than 18 years. Every year the Program makes a book donation to all participating schools.
Barnes and Noble is also hosting a festival this weekend to draw attention to the Duke Dog Reading Program. The festival will include a special story time from members of the Woman’s Coaching staff and an appearance from the Duke Dog.
“This is an opportunity for the University to give back to the community, and help close the gap between the college and the town,” Hololob said.
Although Barnes and Noble has sponsored the reading program for years, this is the first year that the company will be holding a festival to endorse the program.
“Depending on the amount of sales, between 15 percent to 25 percent of all sales will go toward the program, and everything in the store is eligible,” Hololob said. “If you want to just run into the store for a cup of coffee, you can help out a good cause.”
Director of Athletic Marketing Alyssa Gerlando said that JMU sports also offer incentives to young readers.
“We also have a reading list of books for kids to read during winter break… and if kids complete the list we send them and three others to a woman’s basketball game for free,” she said.
Last year’s basketball season the program helped the women’s basketball team have one of its highest attended games in JMU history, according to Gerlando.
Gerlando has been working closely with Hololob and the program and is excited to see it move forward.
“This really is a great cause and we are excited to see what happens,” Gerlando said.
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