Treasurer Diossa Awards Checks to Summer Reading Contest Winners

Published on Friday, September 22, 2023

Providence, RI – Today Rhode Island General Treasurer James A. Diossa awarded checks worth $529 to winners of CollegeBound Saver’s Summer reading contest to be used towards college savings. This program was in partnership with the Office of Library & Information Services (OLIS). Treasurer Diossa and CollegeBound Saver also awarded $500 each to the local libraries of each of the four winners. The Summer Reading Contest winners are Elizabeth Goode of Providence, Nirmay Kanthi of East Greenwich, Rutvi Patel of West Warwick, and Hank Steimer of Coventry. 

“The four winners of CollegeBound Saver’s Summer Reading Contest are committed to learning and pursuing their dreams,” said General Treasurer Diossa. “I am proud that CollegeBound Saver can contribute to that pursuit and help them build their college savings. September is College Savings Month, and it is important for families to begin saving early for their children’s higher education.”

“We are honored to partner with OLIS this year to support the Summer Reading Program and our young readers across Rhode Island," said Jennifer McElroy, Representative for Rhode Island's 529 CollegeBound Saver Program. "We received entries from over 30 different libraries throughout the state and we are so proud of our four winners today!  Each of our winners have proven that they can accomplish anything they set their mind to.  We are excited for their bright futures and can't wait to see what they become!  Keep dreaming and reaching for the stars!”

“Library summer reading programs ignite a passion for reading, enhance learning, and foster community connections. College savings programs provide financial security, access to education, and valuable money management skills,” said Karen Miller, Chief of Library Services at Rhode Island’s OLIS. These initiatives collectively enable youth to develop and thrive, underscoring the significance of the partnership between CollegeBound Saver, the Office of Library and Information Services, and public libraries.”

“We are so glad that one of our regular library patrons is a recipients of this sweepstakes as she no doubt has a bright future ahead of her! The funds awarded to the library are beneficial to us as well helping to support our continued programming for youth and their families in the community,” said Rashaa Al-Sasah, Head of Youth Services of the West Warwick Public Library. “We have seen first hand how many children have not only improved their reading skills but found a true joy of reading and a community to share this with. Which as Public Libraries is our ultimate goal, fostering community, reading, and fun.”

"Our goal at the library is to keep kids engaged and learning through the summer months.  Sometimes this takes the form of reading, but it can also take place by attending an educational program, or engaging in a STEM activity at home,” said Melissa Tetreault, Head of Children’s Services of the East Greenwich Free Library.  “We aim to continue fostering all types of learning by creating events and challenges that motivate kids to visit the library and keep their minds active outside of school.  We are very grateful to receive this award money which we can use to further these programming initiatives."

“Summer reading is one of our most important programs that we run at the library. Studies have shown that summer reading programs foster a love of reading, improve kids’ comprehension skills, and prevent the summer slide,” said Megan Weedan, Director of the Coventry Public Library. “Plus, it helps all families who are looking for fun and affordable ways to keep their kids engaged over the summer. This money will help strengthen our summer reading program next year by providing even more programming opportunities.”

"We are thrilled that one of our readers is a lucky winner of the Find Your Voice College Savings Summer Reading Sweepstakes and also grateful for Knight Memorial Library's $500 prize,” said Judanne Hamidzada, Youth Services Coordinator at Community Libraries of Providence said. Our staff at Knight Memorial will invest the extra funds in diverse books, entertaining activity kits and fascinating programs to help future, hopefully college bound students, beat the summer slide."

CollegeBound Saver is a program of the Office of the General Treasurer and provides Rhode Island families with 529 savings plans that can be used for expenses at colleges, universities, apprenticeship programs, and trade and vocational schools. For more information, please visit CollgeBoundSaver.com.