Durkin Park Elementary School is hosting a Read-a-Thon to raise money for new library books. Durkin Park is a Pre-K through 8th grade public school in Chicago, IL. 80% of our students come from low-income households, and over 70% of the students are bilingual or English Language Learners. Our school does not have a budget for library books, so the number of books we can purchase each year is limited by how much we can fundraise. Our Read-a-Thon goal is to raise $20,000, which is enough to purchase 1000 new library books.

The Durkin Park School Library supports our students’ love of books, learning, and creating, and so will our Read-a-Thon Celebration! Students will participate in the Read-A-Thon by setting personal reading goals, participating in fun literacy activities, and asking families and friends to sponsor them as they READ toward their goals! Family financial situations may prevent some students from fundraising, but all 700 students can participate in the Read-a-Thon by reading.

Durkin Park students will celebrate their reading and fundraising accomplishments at the Read-a-Thon Celebration, an event that concludes the Read-a-Thon and includes snacks, games, outdoor activities, arts and crafts, literacy activities, and raffle prizes. 

Donors will want to participate in this event to show their support for children in need, childhood literacy, and school libraries. To acknowledge donors, Durkin Park will feature donor names, logos, and links on our Read-a-Thon website, the Sponsor Flyer, and on the Sponsor Banner at the Read-a-Thon Celebration. Donors will also receive shout-outs on our school and neighborhood Facebook groups and verbal thanks at our event.