Library Summer Reading Program and Path2College 529 Plan Sweepstakes Help Kids Achieve Educational Goals

Gwinnett County Public Library and Path2College 529 Plan Kick-Off Summer Reading Program and Sweepstakes to Help Kids Achieve Educational Goals

Gwinnett County, GA – Summer 2013 

In an effort to help children across the state, including those in Gwinnett, strengthen their educational foundation as well as the financial foundation that is needed for continued education, the Georgia Public Library Service and the state’s Path2College 529 Plan® are once again partnering on the Summer Reading Program and its Summer Reading Program Sweepstakes, which will award a child with a $5,529 college savings contribution.  This year’s Summer Reading Program, “Dig into Reading,” and Teen Summer Reading Program, “Beneath the Surface,” are available through the summer at all 15 Gwinnett County Public Library branches.

A full calendar of programs including puppet shows, musical guests, magic shows, special storytimes, and craft programs will be available all summer long!  Programs are offered to all children and teens. Prizes (while supplies last) are awarded for everyone who reads whether it is in the form of a book, an ebook, an audiobook, a magazine—anything! Check the Gwinnett County Public Library website (http://www.gwinnettpl.org/main_calendar ) for a calendar of events and programs.

“Reading is such a fundamental part of a child’s education, and encouraging reading at an early age is vital to a child’s educational success,” said Mitch Seabaugh, director of Georgia’s Path2College 529 Plan.  “Similarly, creating a financial plan designed to save money early and regularly for college is crucial to help offset the ever-rising costs of a college education.” 

In addition to the $5,529 that will be awarded to the winning participant, Georgia libraries have a chance to win a monetary gift for their participation in the Summer Reading Program Sweepstakes.  The library of the sweepstakes winner will receive $1,529.  Also, the library with the greatest number of sweepstakes entries and the library system with the greatest percentage of registered users entering will each win $1,529.  Last year, nearly 460,000 Georgia children participated in the Summer Reading Program, and more than 3,600 entered the sweepstakes. 

Families have until August 15 to enter the sweepstakes.  Children across the state who were born in 1997 or after and who participate in the Summer Reading Program at their local library can enter for a chance to win a $5,529 college savings account contribution.  To learn more about the Path2College 529 Plan, obtain official rules for the sweepstakes, and open an account online, visit www.Path2College529.com.

For more information about Gwinnett County Public Library or to sign-up for the library’s Summer Reading Program please visit www.gwinnettpl.org, call (770) 978-5154, or find the GwinnettLibrary on Facebook, Twitter, or G+.