WORCESTER, Mass., May 30 /PRNewswire/ -- For students throughout
Massachusetts, summertime reading and recognizing the extra efforts of their
teachers are two ways to qualify to win tickets to a Red Sox home game this
summer.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080530/NEF039 )
As the school year comes to an end, The Hanover Insurance Group
Foundation, Inc., and the Massachusetts Teachers Association's Reading Matters
program are kicking off the MTA Red Sox Reading Game, a literacy program for
children in kindergarten through grade eight, and the Most Valuable Educator
Program, which provides the opportunity for high school students to recognize
All-Star educators.
The MTA Red Sox Reading Game is designed to stimulate interest and provide
incentives for children to be active readers during the summer months.
Children who participate in the program pledge to read nine books -- one for
each position on the baseball field -- and enter a drawing to win free tickets
to a Red Sox game.
This year, the program will welcome 100 students and their teachers to a
home game at Fenway Park. Five students -- one for each region of the state --
are selected as grand prize winners, winning a behind-the-scenes tour of
Fenway Park and an opportunity to go on the field during a pre-game ceremony.
The Most Valuable Educator program invites high school students to
nominate educators for special recognition. Winning teachers are selected from
among all of the submitted essays and are invited to participate in a pre-game
recognition ceremony along with the students who nominate them. Students can
nominate an educator for recognition by writing a 500-word essay on the
educator's contribution to the community.
"This program is designed to send a crystal clear message to
Massachusetts' children that reading is important and fun," said MTA President
Anne E. Wass. "We are convinced that the MTA Red Sox Reading Game is a great
way to promote summer reading throughout Massachusetts."
Red Sox captain Jason Varitek makes a pitch for Reading Matters
Boston Red Sox catcher and team captain Jason Varitek serves as the team's
lead player in the MTA Red Sox Reading Game, appearing on posters and in other
promotional materials along with the Sox mascot, Wally, the green monster.
"The more kids read, the better they do in school," Varitek said in a
public service announcement scheduled to air over the summer on the New
England Sports Network. "You can't get a hit if you don't get into the game,
so get into the Red Sox Reading Game -- because reading matters."
Thousands of posters and bookmarks are being distributed this month in
schools throughout the state. More information about the two programs can be
found at http://www.readingmatters.org.
"We are proud to help offer these programs throughout the state," said
Linda M. McGowan, president of The Hanover Insurance Group Foundation, Inc.
"The MTA Red Sox Reading Game really encourages children to catch the reading
fever, enabling them to maintain and enhance their scholastic abilities while
school is out. The Most Valuable Educator Program is a great way for students
to recognize those educators who work so hard every day to encourage their
success."
About The Hanover Insurance Group Foundation
The mission of The Hanover Insurance Group Foundation, Inc., is to improve
the quality of life in communities where The Hanover Insurance Group companies
have a major presence, placing a special emphasis on helping to build world
class public education systems and inspiring and empowering youth to achieve
their full potential.
The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc. (NYSE: THG), based in Worcester, Mass.,
is a leading provider of auto, home and business insurance in Massachusetts.
The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc. is the holding company for a group of
insurers that includes The Hanover Insurance Company, also based in Worcester;
Citizens Insurance Company of America, headquartered in Howell, Mich., and
their affiliates. The Hanover offers a wide range of property and casualty
products and services to individuals, families and businesses through an
extensive network of independent agents and has been meeting its obligations
to its agent partners and their customers for more than 150 years. Taken as a
group, The Hanover ranks among the top 40 property and casualty insurers in
the United States. For more information, please visit http://www.hanover.com.
CONTACTS:
The Hanover Foundation The MTA
Amy Lynn Banek Bob Duffy
(508) 855-4486 (617) 878-8266
abanek@hanover.combduffy@massteacher.orgSOURCE The Hanover Insurance Group Foundation, Inc.
Contact: Amy Lynn Banek for The Hanover Foundation, +1-508-855-4486, abanek@hanover.com; or Bob Duffy for The MTA, +1-617-878-8266, bduffy@massteacher.org