HEY KIDS! GRIFF WANTS <u>YOU</u> TO READ!

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Grand Rapids Griffins have introduced “Griff’s Reading Goals,” a new community program that encourages K-6 students throughout West Michigan to read. The program is coordinated and promoted through the support of the Grand Rapids Public Library, the Kent District Library, the Kent Intermediate School District, the Ottawa Area Intermediate School District, and Wendy’s of Michigan restaurants.

Two hundred thousand “Griff’s Reading Goals” bookmarks are being distributed to children in classrooms throughout Kent, Ottawa, Ionia and Montcalm counties, through local library branches, and through Wendy’s locations across Southwest Michigan.

The program rewards students for every hour of reading they complete, with the bookmarks providing spaces for an adult to mark off three levels of reading achievement. When a child reads three times for at least 20 minutes per session, they receive a free Wendy’s Jr. Frosty. When they read three more times for 20 minutes each, they receive a free Wendy’s Kids’ Meal.

Finally, when they read three more times for 20 minutes each, they receive two free tickets to a select Griffins game. Remaining redemption dates include the Griffins games on Feb. 21 and 25, March 6, 14, 16 and 31, and April 6.

Rewards for the first two levels of reading achievement can be redeemed at participating Wendy’s locations, including restaurants in Grand Rapids, Allegan, Battle Creek, Caledonia, Cascade, Comstock Park, Cutlerville, Grand Haven, Grandville, Holland, Jenison, Kalamazoo, Kentwood, Muskegon, Newaygo, Paw Paw, Plainwell, Portage, South Haven, Walker and Wyoming.

For more information about “Griff’s Reading Goals,” please call (616) 774-4585 ext. 3046.