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Welch's Supports 145,000 Minutes Of Reading For Westfield Academy And Central Elementary School's Annual PARP Program
WESTFIELD, NY (May 1997) - Welch's recently teamed with Westfield Academy and Central Elementary School to conduct the 15th annual Parents As Reading partners (PARP) program - a program that inspired students to "hit the books" and read for more than 145,000 minutes (more than 2,416 hours) during the three-week program. Welch's has been the corporate sponsor of PARP since 1984.
The PARP program challenges kids to read, be creative, work together with friends and family and realize the importance of reading. As part of this year's theme, "Blast Off With Books," Westfield Academy and Central Elementary School transformed and "launched" 500 years into the future to the planet "PARP" to experience its reading adventures. In addition to product samples, Welch's provided the students with theme-related PARP tee-shirts, hats, stickers, key chains and more to help make the program truly special. Students modeled their 1997 "Blast Off With Books" rocketship tee-shirts at PARP events and will continue to wear them as reminders of the importance of making reading an unbreakable habit.
"Welch's has enjoyed working with Westfield Academy and Central School for more than a decade on the PARP program," said Jim Callahan, director, Corporate Communications for Welch's. "Welch's is proud to be a partner in a program of great importance to Westfield's students and the spirit of learning."
Welch's sponsorship includes providing jars of assorted jellies and juice boxes to participating students and their families. In addition, Welch's supplies "bare books" which students use to create their own stories as well as weekly, theme-related prizes for reading accomplishments.
The PARP PROGRAM encourages students in grades K-5 to make a commitment to reading. Younger students are challenged to read 15 minutes each day for the entire PARP program. Students in grades four and five also make a reading commitment based upon the number of minutes they will spend reading to younger students.
PARP calls upon the support of parents, teachers and members of the business community to emphasize the joy and importance of reading.
"Welch's has allowed Westfield Academy to develop the best PARP program around," said Dennis Shively, Elementary School Principal. "With their generous support, the quality of our PARP program is outstanding. Welch's has helped us launch a simple idea into an award-winning program."
Welch's is the world's leading manufacturer of Concord and Niagara grape-based products. The company also produces a variety of other fruit juices, frozen and shelf-stable concentrated juices, and a variety of jams and jellies sold under both the Welch's and Bama brand names.