Heritage Christian School hosts read-a-thon to benefit APCH

Heritage Christian School is combining a love of reading with their desire to help those in need.

The private school is hosting a “read-a-thon” where students will set personal goals for reading and incentives will be provided as they reach their goals.

The hope, according to a media release, is to foster a passion for reading in students, while providing an opportunity to become more involved in the local community by seeking pledges to raise funds for A Place Called Home, the only homeless shelter for Kawartha Lakes and Haliburton.

APCH is undergoing an ambitious building project to construct a new shelter to create affordable supportive temporary housing for those who need it.

A representative from the charity will visit the school to share with the students the ongoing challenges those who are homeless, and those who are at risk of becoming homeless have faced, especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The read-a-thon will kick off on March 19 and run until April 5.

Many local businesses are participating by sponsoring this event through prize donations for the students. Some of these businesses include Kent Book Store, Kawartha Wholesale Bakery, the LEX, The Kawartha Lakes Public Library and more.

Photo: Grade 5/6 students at Heritage Christian School share their enthusiasm for the upcoming read-a-thon.