The Salvation Army Boy & Girls Club of Aiken launched its Celebrity Reader Program on Tuesday.
The program is the brainchild of Colen Lindell, a member of the Club’s Advisory Council.
Lindell said he started the program to fulfill his vision of “helping kids learn to read at a young age so they can be successful later on in life."
“The program is designed to make kids feel like reading is cool,” he added.
Aiken County Council Vice Chairman Andrew Siders was the first Celebrity Reader.
“Andrew is so involved in the community and a great role model to young people,” Lindell said. “The kids loved his book and the passion he showed reading it.”
“This was such a great idea …” said Salvation Army Boy & Girls Club Executive Director Allison Mayfield. “The kids are excited to meet celebrity members of our community, and I am thrilled that our community wants to see our kids succeed. The Club's mission is to enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring and responsible citizens, and this program falls right in line with that."
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