MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - Close to 1,900 books have been read from November to May this year by enthusiastic students from elementary to middle school in hopes to win a new bike and helmet.

Bikes for Books Program is going into it seventh year encouraging students from grades 3rd to 6th to read more frequently. The Okemos Masonic Center through the National Masonic Program, held their 6th presentation at Kinawa Middle School congratulating four lucky 5th and 6th grades with new bikes and helmets.

“Really what it [Bikes for Books] was is our opportunity to celebrate students who are reading,” said Principal Steve Stierley of Kinawa Middle School.

This is Kinawa Middle School’s first year having the Bikes for Books Program provided during the school year. With help from parents, staff members, and in-school librarian’s, Kinawa was able to submit over twenty-five forms from their students.

“Some of them had known about it before [be]cause they participated in elementary school but some of them it was their first time,” said Cyndi Webster, Teacher Librarian of Kinawa Middle School “Eyes got really big and hands went up in the air to get the sheets to be filled out. Lot of kids filled out more than one sheet”.

Kinawa Middle School is excited to continue the program next year with a goal to be the top school in Meridian Township who has the most form enters, stated Principal Stierley.

In total seven schools received 31 bikes and safety helmets to seven schools in the Meridian Township area, donated from Meijer. MSU Federal Credit Union, Okemos Lodge Brothers and other local businesses provided donations and sponsorship for the program.

“Big thank you to all of the schools,” said Okemos Masonic Lodge representative Mike Nevells, “the support we get the principals and the office staff is just phenomenal.''

Contact the Local Masonic Lodge in Michigan to get more information on how to get your local schools involved with Bikes for Books Program.