Dion’s pizza and the Albuquerque Isotopes Triple A baseball club have teamed up for the 16th year in a row to the annual Club Read reading challenge to promote youth literacy – in play now through July 28.
Preschool and elementary-age youngsters who complete the program scorecards, available at Albuquerque, Rio Rancho and Santa Fe Dion’s locations, select public libraries, and Isotopes Park, can win prizes. Those who submits a completed scorecard also earn their first “home run” and get a one-topping slice of pizza and a second scorecard, organizers said in a news release.
“We are thrilled to continue our partnership with Dion’s in Club Read,” Isotopes General Manager John Traub said in a statement. “We are proud of how this program has inspired children in the area to have a love of reading.
Promoting literacy is an important part of our community outreach efforts.”
Finishing a second scorecard – reading six age-appropriate books – and turning it in at Isotopes Park earns the participant a new book, a ticket to a home game, a free small drink at the game, one entry for the grand prize drawing, and a reading challenge certificate signed by Isotopes mascot Orbit.
Last year, more than 4,700 scorecards, representing more than 36,000 books read, were submitted.
Four grand prize winners near the end of July will win four suite-level tickets to an Isotopes home game. Winners will also get a chance to participate in a ceremonial first pitch, receive an autographed baseball, a customized Isotopes jersey, a booklet of Isotopes Baseball Bucks, one large Dion’s pizza during the game, and a $50 Dion’s gift card.
“We’re looking forward to another year of inspiring and incentivizing children in our communities to read,” Dion’s CEO Mark Herman said in a statement.
For more program information, visit www.dions.com/community/club-read-program.
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