CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. — Inspiration is the goal of the summer reading program hosted by Marine Corps Community Services and the Harriotte B. Smith library aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune. This year’s theme of “Reading is so delicious,” did just that.
Every summer, the reading program ends with a grand finale, and this year the popular magician, Jeff Jones, was invited to amaze and astound the young children who worked so hard with their reading.
The program had children decorate and eat cupcakes, create delectable no-bake pizzas and take home their own chop sticks. With the theme of “Reading is so delicious,” the reading program ended this summer with a real bang by having the well-liked magic show.
Doing magic shows for more than 20 years, Jones got his start in magic through reading. Jones said the local library where he grew up only had a few books on magic, but he read them all. Jones explained his first reading program magic shows were at his local library, and he loves giving back by doing shows for libraries nationwide.
Jones said he loves giving back. He wishes the children and families always get to leave with something. This year Jones made a wizard wand magically appear and gave one to all the kids.
“I hope they’re thoroughly entertained,” said Jones. “They enjoyed themselves and took their minds off everything going on around the world.”
Dozens of children ranging from age four to 11 combined with the teen-age group managed an astonishing combined total of 247,991 minutes of reading this summer.
“Our purpose in being here is to meet the needs of the family members of Navy and Marine personnel,” said Jana Guitar, program supervisor at the base library. “It fills a lovely gap for things that children can do during the summer and also helps them to continue reading.”
Guitar said she recalls a parent telling her that her three children didn’t care much for reading. After signing the children up for the program, the mother said she wanted the children to have a minimum amount of reading minutes, which the reading program has. Guitar said the parent gave the children a 600 reading minute limit but with all the programs and events that take place during the summer the children succeeded in doubling their limit. Guitar said the parents’ children are now hooked on reading.
Children are not the only part of the summer reading program. For the first time 100 adults registered to begin with the summer reading program.
For more information contact Marine Corps Community Services:
MCCSLejeune.com/libraries