Every minute you read is a mitzvah!
1. What are the goals of the Readathon?
Goal #1 To motivate children to read for fun, enjoy reading 
more overcome reading obstacles, and find more time to read.Goal #2 To encourage children to help other children and to
empower them to feel that there is something they can do about terrorism.Goal #3 To show support from children all over the world for the
children of Israel who have been most hurt by terrorism.Goal #4 To encourage parents to read to their children and to
encourage children to read to each other.2. Who can run a Readathon?
- A librarian, teacher, principal or parent volunteer can run a school-wide readathon.
- A Rabbi, teacher or Youth Group leader can run a readathon for a synagogue, classroom or youth group.
- Individual children can also hold their own personal readathons.
3. How does a Readathon work?
The Readathon is held over a specified period of time. During that time, the participating children try to read as much as they can. They can read anything they want. The goal is to read 2000 minutes (approximately 33 hours). The children find one or more sponsors who will agree to donate either a penny or more per minute for every minute they read, or a certain amount of money such as $10 when the children finish the entire contest.
When the children read 500, 1,000, 1,500 and 2,000 minutes they earn stickers or prizes. When they finish 2,000 minutes or the contest ends, they collect the money from their sponsors and turn it in to the contest coordinator who sends it to Kids For Kids.
4. How long should a Readathon be?
We have found 2 months is a good length to maintain excitement and provide enough time to read 2,000 minutes. The contest is best when planned around a long school vacation when there is plenty of extra time to read. We read by the minute rather than by the book because this makes it more fair for slower readers.
It is easier for children in kindergarten and first grade to count by books. The same Readathon chart can be used. We give second graders the choice to read by minutes or by books.
5. What about prizes?
A PTA or PTO is often very happy to support a Readathon by providing money for prizes. Businesses are often willing to donate merchandise and community service organizations can also be asked to sponsor prizes. We use bookmarks, stickers, rainbow glasses and small toys as reading incentives. The grand prize for the class that reads the most minutes or raises the most money is an ice cream party. This could also be a popcorn or pizza party. We tell the kids that the best prizes are the ones they can't see - all of the great stories they'll read, the better reading skills they'll gain, and the smiles on the faces of the people they'll help.
6. How do you find a sponsor?
Parents, grandparents, uncles, aunts, older brothers and sisters, and
neighbors are good choices to ask to be sponsors. Some kids have put announcements in their synagogue or neighborhood newsletters and asked their rabbis to ask for sponsors during their speeches. Many kids sponsor themselves by donating their own money.
7. What are some special events you can do to make the Readathon even more exciting?
Some schools have a "Dress Up As Your Favorite Character Day," with prizes for the best costumes. Some classes have an all day read-in when they can bring their pillows and blankets and snuggle in for an a full day of reading in class. Some libraries have a "Sleepover," when kids come in their pajamas to hear bedtime stories. Some schools and libraries have a Family Reading Night,
when whole families come to hear guest readers read and tell stories.
8. Who wins and do you have to finish to win?
Everybody wins! The school has a reading success story, the students become better readers and earn prizes that make them happy, parents are proud of their children's reading gains and charitable efforts, and the children in Israel who are hurting the most feel that somebody cares. You don't have to finish to win, because any amount that you donate will help children who need your loving support and encouragement.
9. Where does the money go?
The money goes to KIDS FOR KIDS, an organization in Israel that provides professional trauma services, safe houses for KIDS stranded by acts of terrorism, and special events to cheer up KIDS. KIDS FOR KIDS supports children who are themselves victims of terrorism to help other terror victims by visiting them in hospitals and sponsoring "support circles" for emotional support.
10. How do you begin?
Click on the links below to print the rules, reading chart and pledge sheet, read a letter from Rebbetzin Yeshara Gold, director of KIDS FOR KIDS, and to find out more about KIDS FOR KIDS.
