2009 Read With Kids Challenge

Thanks to Layla at Reading is Fundamental (RIF) for sending me the following information about RIF's 2009 Read With Kids Challenge.

" US Airways (LCC) has joined with Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) for a second year to celebrate the wonder of reading through the "Fly with US. Read with Kids.^®" campaign. It features the online Read with Kids Challenge and supports RIF programs serving children across the nation.

The 2008 Read with Kids Challenge achieved overwhelming success in its first year with more than 16,000 participants logging 3.8 million minutes of reading. This year, the challenge is climbing to new heights with a goal of collectively logging 5 million minutes spent reading with children from April 1-June 30. Participants can register and log their minutes online at www.RIF.org/readwithkids.

Registrants can join individually, or new for this year, create a team of three or more adults. All participants will be entered to win a grand prize drawing of a Walt Disney World^®; Resort vacation package from US Airways Vacations, US Airways gift cards, and other great prizes. The team determined by random drawing will win the opportunity to select a featured RIF program, as well as a school in their community, to receive a special children's book collection.

"US Airways is proud to team up with RIF to help children throughout the country discover the joy of reading and provide them with a better foundation for success," said Doug Parker, Chairman and CEO of US Airways.

US Airways—the official airline of RIF—is also encouraging customers, employees, and readers nationwide to support children's literacy by making a donation to RIF. Donors can receive a special edition of Off You Go, Maisy!–a children's book by best-selling author Lucy Cousins-and be eligible to receive up to 5,000 US Airways Dividend Miles.

"RIF is grateful to US Airways for their continued support," said Carol H. Rasco, President and CEO of RIF. "We hope to build on the incredible success of last year's campaign-not only raising awareness of the importance of reading, but encouraging participants to support the children in RIF programs across the country, which provide books to children who otherwise might not have access to them."

US Airways' campaign with RIF, the nation's oldest and largest children and families' literacy nonprofit organization, also provides books and literacy services to children served by RIF programs throughout the country. US Airways' employee volunteer corps, the Do Crew, will participate in RIF book distributions and reading rallies in communities where the airline has a large concentration of employees and passengers: Boston; Charlotte, N.C.; New York City; Philadelphia; Phoenix; Pittsburgh; and Washington, D.C."

View the full press release here.