Special to the Journal
In an effort to help children across the state strengthen their educational foundation and ensure families are thinking about 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 $5,529 college savings contribution.
At the Perry Public Library, the Houston County, Peach County and Middle Georgia Regional Libraries hosted Georgia’s Path2College 529 Plan to kick-off the 2013 Summer Reading Program, Dig Into Reading, and the Summer Reading Program Sweepstakes, Reading Makes Cent$. This is the fourth year the Georgia Public Library Service has partnered with the Path2College 529 Plan on this statewide initiative designed to encourage kids to read throughout the summer and remind their parents and grandparents about the importance of saving for college.
“The Path2College 529 Plan Sweepstakes is a not-to-be-missed opportunity for parents and grandparents to jump start college savings plans for their young readers. We’re very happy to be entering our fourth year of raising awareness of summer reading through this program, and we hope to see more families participate this year than ever before. What a great way to celebrate summer, reading and all that your library has to offer,” said Julie Walker, Deputy State Librarian.
The Summer Reading Program activities will include programs about dinosaurs, construction vehicles, underground animals, Ancient Egypt, archaeology, and much more! Programs are offered to all children, teens, and adults. Prizes are awarded for everyone who reads whether it is in the form of a book, an ebook, an audiobook, a magazine—anything! Check with your public library for a calendar of events and programs.
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.
“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.”
Last year, nearly 460,000 Georgia children participated in the Summer Reading Program, and more than 3,600 entered the sweepstakes.
“Families across Georgia have opened Path2College 529 Plan accounts for over 103,000 current and future students (as of 12/31/12). If we reach a small percentage of the people who participate in the Summer Reading Program, we can put more children on the path to college, which is our ultimate goal,” said Seabaugh.
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.
“We have seen the Summer Reading Program grow with each year, allowing more children and families to be exposed to books, stories, programs, and the library’s resources,” said Karen Odom – Director of the Houston County Public Library System. “The Path2College along with the Summer Reading Program allows some children the ability to get a jump start on an education that will be of great value for the rest of their lives.”
Families have until Aug. 15 to enter the sweepstakes. To learn more about the Path2College 529 Plan, obtain official rules for the sweepstakes, and open an account online, visit www.Path2College529.com. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited.
Consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses before investing in the Path2College 529 Plan. Visit www.path2college529.com for a Disclosure Booklet containing this and other information. Please read it carefully.
Before investing in a 529 plan, you should consider whether the state you or your beneficiary reside in or have taxable income in has a 529 plan that offers favorable state income tax or other benefits that are only available if you invest in that state’s 529 plan.
Account value for the Investment Options is not guaranteed and will fluctuate based upon a number of factors, including general market conditions.
HHJ News
