College SAVE Summer Reading Champions

The North Dakota State Library partnered with Bank of North Dakota to bring the College SAVE Summer Reading Champions Campaign to participants of the 2023 Collaborative Summer Library Program, “All Together Now.”

Every student completing their library’s goal for “All Together Now” received a redeemable certificate for a $10 contribution to an existing College SAVE account or a $25 contribution to a new College SAVE account. More than 450 children have taken advantage of the contribution and families have until December 31, 2023, to redeem the certificate. In addition, there were 10 recipients selected from random drawings who were awarded $529 College SAVE contributions.

“This partnership with the Bank of North Dakota allows us to continue supporting North Dakota libraries with summer reading programs,” says Lexi Whitehorn, North Dakota State Library literacy specialist. “Our libraries serve North Dakota children of all ages while encouraging them to not only read, but to enjoy all the other activities and programs the libraries have to offer. Programs like College SAVE allow libraries to offer incentives for reading that not only benefit our children now, but in their future as well.”

Over 3,500 youth from over 35 libraries participated in this year’s summer reading campaign. The $529 scholarship recipients are Ruth Karges, Fargo Public Library; Mila Lende, Fargo Public Library; Theodore Wentz, Grand Forks Public Library; Loveleigh Henry, Dickinson Area Public Library; Hawkins Hubrig, Minot Public Library; Brynlee Boger, Morton-Mandan Public Library; Kennedy Wiedrich, Hazen Public Library; Devaughn Moore, New Town City Library; Carson Follman, Cando Community Library; and Nora Brown, West Fargo Public Library.

“Bank of North Dakota congratulates all of the young people who participated in their local library’s summer reading programs,” states Todd Steinwand, Bank of North Dakota president. “It is well-established that reading is an important component of academic success which leads to a well-prepared workforce.”

The College SAVE Plan is a 529 plan established by the state of North Dakota. Bank of North Dakota acts as trustee of the College SAVE Trust and is responsible for administering the Plan. To learn more about College SAVE, visit collegesave4u.com.