Goodwill kicks off summer reading program

Goodwill Industries of Southwest Florida Inc. will kick off its first-ever Summer Reading Program, "Ready ... Set ... Read!" on Friday.

The program will run through Aug. 4.

The Friday kickoff celebration at Goodwill's store at Daniels Parkway and Plantation Road in south Fort Myers store will feature snacks and fun activities. Storytellers, including three Southwest Florida authors, will be on hand to entertain.

The local authors are:

• M.B. Weston of Naples is one of the young adult fantasy genre's new emerging voices. A fourth-generation Floridian, Weston is the author of "The Elysian Chronicles," a fantasy series about guardian angels. She is also the host of "The Final Cut," an Internet talk show about science fiction and fantasy movies.

• Mary Beth Lundgren of Cape Coral is the author of several books for children and young adults, including "Seven Scary Monsters," a "not too scary" bedtime story. "Seven Scary Monsters" was nominated for a Children's Choice award by the International Reading Association and the Children's Book Council. She is a member of the Gulf Coast Writers Association.

• Karen Freysinger is also a member of the writers association. She released her first children's book in 2007. "The Adventures of Countess Pigula: Her Royal Imagination" is a picture-book intended for young readers in kindergarten through third grade.

The summer reading program is for children in kindergarten through eighth grade in Lee, Charlotte, Collier, Glades and Hendry counties.

They will part in a six-week book exchange program sponsored by Goodwill Industries. Beginning Friday, participants can sign up at any Goodwill Retail and Donation Center by making a purchase of $10 or more. They will receive a free children's book and reading program bookmark. For the duration of the program, children can exchange their completed free books for a newer book. Goodwill will track their progress.

At the end of the six-week program, completed bookmarks will be entered into a random drawing and prizes will be awarded.

Promotional materials for the reading program were provided by Goodwill's community partners, Beef O'Brady's and Office Max.