Hershey’s Milk, Reading and Ward: Today, Indianapolis Motor Speedway served as the backdrop for the national launch of Drive to Read @ your library, a new program developed by Hershey(R)’s Milk and the American Library Association (ALA) to ignite interest in reading among America’s teens and drive them right into libraries. NASCAR driver Ward Burton was on hand to launch the national awareness program, an effort to connect with teens by aligning libraries with one of the nation’s hottest NASCAR drivers and America’s coolest beverage, Hershey(R)’s Milk. With NASCAR driver Ward Burton at the wheel at the launch event, Hershey(R)’s Milk and America’s libraries have issued a national call-to-action for America’s teens. “I am honored to be a part of the Drive to Read @ your library program,” said Ward Burton. “This effort will encourage teens to discover the pleasures of reading and gain the power of knowledge. With that power, they will be invincible.” The Drive to Read @ your library program calls on teens to check out one of the Best Books for Young Adults for 2001 — selected by librarians through the Young Adult Library Services Association, a division of the American Library Association — and write a short essay describing why they would recommend the book to a friend and how it’s a meaningful or inspiring book for today’s teens. Once the essay has been written, teens have to check in with their school or public librarian to ask him or her to sponsor the contest entry. One lucky teen will win a trip with a parent or guardian, and the sponsoring librarian and a guest, to The Homestead Miami Speedway on November 11, 2001 to meet NASCAR star Ward Burton and attend the day’s race. Speed to www.hersheysmilk.com for all of the program details(Business Wire)(8-2-2001) (8-1-2001)
