Leigh-Anne Lefurge, March of Dimes, (860) 815-9353, llefurge@marchofdimes.com.
Avon, CT, May 09, 2012 —

Fifth and sixth grade students from Thompson Brook School in Avon raised over $6,500 for the March of Dimes by earning funds for every hour they read in March. An anonymous matching gift brought the school’s total to over $7,800.   The students read books in school and at home as participants in the March of Dimes Reading Champions program.  The students presented the funds to the March of Dimes during a ceremony on at the end of April.  

Reading Champions challenges school children to read as many books as they can while being pledged by family and friends to support the March of Dimes mission of improving the health of babies.  In addition to their reading for the March of Dimes, students were encouraged to choose a variety of new books from their library during “Read Across America Month”.

The March of Dimes awarded a bronze, silver, or gold medallion to those students who participated. The top reader received a custom engraved Kindle Fire, donated by Mrs. Spencer, a fifth grade teacher at Thompson Brook.

“We're happy to have the support of the Thompson Brook Community and to reinforce empathy in our students.” said Spencer, whose son Evan was born 10 weeks too soon.  “At the same time, it thrills me to help a charity and to validate my son’s life.”

This is the first time the school has participated, but several teachers and dozens of students have been impacted by prematurity, and were proud to support the March of Dimes.

The March of Dimes is the leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and baby health. With chapters nationwide, the March of Dimes works to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. For the latest resources and information, visit marchofdimes.com or nacersano.org.  Find us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.