Reading incentives boost totals for fundraising effort

Date: 8/25/2009

By Katelyn Gendron

Reminder Assistant Editor



WEST SPRINGFIELD -- Summer is a time for running around having fun in the sun as well as sitting pool-side with the 12 books on the school's mandatory reading list.

The Soupy for Loopy Foundation Inc. and the West Springfield Public Library put a new spin on summer reading during the second annual "Ready, Set, Read" fundraising effort. Seventeen kids participated in this year's event, raising over $1,200 for the foundation and pediatric cancer research.

"It's a matter of getting kids reading for a purpose," Terri Mitus, youth services librarian at the library, said. "This [fundraiser] adds a component to our summer reading program that we haven't had before. Certainly the Soupy for Loopy Foundation is another draw [for] kids who might not [participate] for incentive, might have come in here just for that [charity]."

Children were asked to choose a book from Laura's Loft a section of the library dedicated in memory of West Springfield resident Laura "Loopy" Sypek who lost her battle with pediatric cancer in 2006.

"She loved the library [because] she loved to read," Sandra Kosko, president of the Soupy for Loopy Foundation, said of Sypek. "A lot of these kids [who participated this summer] never knew Laura but they seem to relate to her."

For each book read during the summer, participants were asked to make a $1 donation to the cause. Kosko noted that donations increased by 50 percent this summer.

She added that special incentive prizes such as iPod shuffles were provided for children who raised at least $100 for the foundation and completed all the books they promised to read.

"This year we had a goal of 5,000 hours [for the summer reading program] and the kids read over 6,200 hours," Mitus said. "I would be dishonest if I said kids read without incentives [but I'm pleased with their efforts]."

She added that the program and fundraiser "helps teach kids to be givers."

Kosko said she set a fundraising goal of $5,000, and while that estimate was not met, she believes the participants gained perspective far more valuable than money.

Funds raised through the foundation are redistributed each year through grants to organizations such as Children's Neuroblastoma Cancer Foundation, clinical trials at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and trial therapies at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.

For more information about the Soupy for Loopy Foundation, visit www.soupyforloopy.org.