Kids read for charity in Lake Villa library progranm

This January, the Lake Villa District Library is offering kids the opportunity to make a difference in the world just by reading.

In what has become an annual tradition, children will read for charity as part of the library's winter reading program, open to children in preschool through sixth grade. It runs through Jan. 31.

Kids participating in the program will track how many minutes they read using a special reading log. Based on the total number of minutes, the library will donate up to $5 per child to charity: water, a nonprofit organization that brings clean, safe drinking water to people in developing nations. All money raised will go to fund freshwater wells and basic sanitation projects in some of the poorest communities in the world.

"We take water for granted. The youth services staff were moved by the statistics and felt that we could highlight just how something as simple as clean water can change the lives of children for the better," said Kerry Reed, head of youth services. "As a community institution, I feel that it's important to demonstrate to children the importance of charity while making it easy for them to contribute as well."

Come to the youth services desk or call (847) 356-7711 for information. The Lake Villa District Library is at 1001 E. Grand Ave., Lake Villa.

To learn more about charity: water, visit charity:water.org.