What is a read-a-thon?

A read-a-thon is similar to a walk-a-thon.  Instead of pledging to walk a certain distance, you commit to reading for a specific amount of time on the day of the event.  To raise donations, you will ask friends and family to sponsor your reading-time pledge. 

Can I register by myself or do I need to be part of a group?

The wonderful thing about reading is that it can be a solitary activity or a group one!  Pick whichever option appeals to you the most.  Families who have young children who cannot read yet can register as a team for the event.  Aunts, uncles, brother, sisters, and grandparents can take turns reading aloud to infants and toddlers.  Co-workers can form department reading teams and challenge each team to see who can read for the most time.  Teams must include at least 2 people and can have no more than 5 people.

How old do I need to be to participate?

Anyone from 1 month-100 years of age can be a part of this event.  Don't worry if your kids aren't at the reading age yet.  Young children can be read to by other family members.  (Young children need to be accompanied by a parent or guardian on the day of the event. And if the participant is under the age of 18, a parent or guardian must also sign the registration form.)

How much reading-time should I pledge?

The reading time for the event begins at 10:30 AM and ends at at 4:00 PM on Saturday, February 14, 2009.  Technically, you could commit to the full 6 hours of the event,  But reading for that much time straight through would be a very ambitious goal.  We recommend setting realistic pledge goals. They should be appropriate to the age group.  For example preschoolers or younger children might sign up to read with family members for 40 minutes.  Individual adults might pledge to read for 1 or 2 hours.  Teams could potentially commit to the most time, as each person on the team could read for a "shift."  The good news is that your reading pledge does not have to be completed in a consecutive block of time.  You could spread it out over the entire course of the event.  If you pledge to read for 2 hours, you could read one hour in the morning, break for lunch, and then finish your last hour in the afternoon. 

Does it matter where or when I Read?

The read-a-thon will be held in the Community Room of the C. Burr Artz Library in downtown, Frederick, MD.  After checking  in, we do ask that you complete your reading time at the library on the day of the event. Of course, you are welcome to read anywhere within the library, but we recommend that you do your reading in the Community Room, as it will be the hub of the event.  Also, we will be providing drinks and snacks throughout the day to participants.  In addition, we will be drawing for door prizes and other items from local merchants, so we want you to be part of the fun! 

What Should I Read?

You can bring a book from home or get a book from the library.  We will provide reading material, but you are welcome to read whatever catches your interest: magazines, books, school texts, newspapers. 

How do I request sponsors and donors for my reading-time pledge?

Be sure to download the donation tracking form under the tab Fundraising tools on this web site.  On these pages, we have also included some useful tips to help you raise donations for your reading-time pledge.  You can ask your donors to sponsor your reading time either in 15 minute increments or they can choose to donate a flat sum. 

When do I collect my pledge donations from my sponsors?

We ask that you collect all of your donations before the event and bring them to the library along with your donor tracking form, so that they can be submitted to the Council on the day of the event. 

Will I receive a tote bag?

Individual participants who raise a minimum of $20 in donations will receive an event tote bag. Group participants will receive tote bags if they raise a minimum of $30 in donations.

I don't think I'll be able to participate in the event, but how else can I help?

If you can't participate in the event, there are still several ways to support literacy.  You are always welcome to make a donation.  Checks should be made out to the Literacy Council of Frederick County and can be mailed to LCFC, 110 Patrick Street, Frederick MD 21701.  Or you could volunteer to become a literacy tutor.  Our next tutor training workshop is in March.  You can get more information from the Council's web site.