Palatine winter readers reach goal; Little City benefits

Congratulations to the participants in the Palatine Library Winter Reading Challenge for reading over 5,000 books. For the third year in a row, participating in the reading program became an opportunity to help the community.

Palatine Bank & Trust and Warehouse Direct partnered with the library to each donate $1,000 to Little City in Palatine, if 5,000 books were read by the end of the program. Library patrons' response was overwhelmingly enthusiastic; the goal was met by Jan. 20, with a final count of 7,729 books read - surpassing last year's record.

Jeannie Dilger, Palatine Library executive director, and Kathy Burns, Popular Materials Department manager, with Palatine Bank & Trust Branch Manager Bridget Witt, and Warehouse Direct Sales Manager Neil Bruns, presented the donation check to Stephanie Darnell, Volunteer Services Supervisor, and Wayne Frederickson, Governmental Affairs Director for Little City, on Thursday, Feb. 1.

"Thank you to Palatine Bank & Trust, Warehouse Direct, and all Winter Reading participants for helping Little City continue to support those with disabilities throughout the Chicago Metropolitan area. The donation will be used to renovate the 16 CILA homes Little City has around the Palatine area. We will purchase paint, supplies, and other materials to provide the best environment possible for the individuals we serve." said Darnell. For additional information, visit www.littlecity.org.

The Library's Winter Reading Program ran from Dec. 15 through Jan. 31. Readers who completed the requirements were entered into a grand prize drawing by age category (child, teen, or adult) for a chance to win a gift box filled with gift cards generously donated by Palatine-area businesses, along with additional gift items sponsored by Friends of Palatine Library. Sixteen lucky winners of the Reading Challenge will be notified, and their names can be found on the library's website, www.palatinelibrary.org, this week.

Palatine Public Library District (www.palatinelibrary.org) is your destination for knowledge, entertainment, and community. The library serves approximately 90,000 residents predominantly within the communities of Palatine and Hoffman Estates.

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