 "Photo: PREFACE PHOTO/Timothy Dann-Barrick")
Local parents bundled up around 40 elementary school students Feb. 25. They traveled through the snow to IU South Bend’s Student Activities Center for the second annual Stop, drop, and read sponsored by the combined Advertising Club and Marketing Club (ACMC).
“Our goal is to help students equate reading with fun,” said James Camren president of the Advertising Club.
The event was an evening of clean wholesome activity that combined food, family and friends.
Each student received one book to start out with and they were allowed to choose more all free of charge. By offering a time for families to come together and encouraging parents to read with kids, the event gave IUSB students a chance to interact with the community.
The evening began with a word from one of the faculty advisors. “What are some of the things you want to do when you grow up?” he asked. “Lawyer,” “Doctor” and “Teacher” rang out from the crowd along with other professions. “
You have to read to do those jobs,” he reminded the students. “The more you read the smarter you get, the further you will go.”
A round of fathers versus IUSB gentleman dodge ball preceded the students’ games and around twenty minutes of reading with parents.
Local used bookstore Better World Books donated 150 age-appropriate books for the event. Families were also offered coupons to the Target portrait studio.
Lifetouch representative Jackie Appleman explained that parents were given free membership benefits for two years in addition to the coupons.
“The schools offer photos every year but parents with multiple students can now have family photos taken,” she said.
Freshman Andrea Reed organized a carnation sale during Valentine’s Day to raise the money that was used to sponsor the event.
“It’s a chance for our students to use the finds appropriately by giving back to the community,” said advisor Mon Lee.
The organizers of the event are confident about bringing it back again next year. “We had a lot of positive feedback last year so we decided to do it again and I think we’re here to stay,” said Camren.
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