Perhaps it was the great classic Where the Red Fern Grows or something more contemporary like a Harry Potter book. Regardless of what story inspired the 600 children at Pivik Elementary in the Plumbourough School District in Pittsburg PA reading sure carried them away. With a little help of course from a big truck and Millis Transfer company driver Andrew Moore of Verona PA.
Placing Moore and 600 kids together was all part of a new program called Read A Book Per Mile Across America created by the Pivik Elementary School District. It is a rather unique spin-off of the traditional Read A Book Across America Program and the nationwide Trucker Buddy Program.
When the principal asked Moore to volunteer for this program he did so gladly. Moore who has two sons attending Pivik felt honored. “It was very uplifting to be able to participate” he said.
As part of the program each class at Pivik Elementary selected their own destinations. According to Moore “Every minute that the kids read equaled one mile. If the kids read 30 minutes they went 30 miles.”
One of the 5th grade teachers at Pivik Elementary Ms. Austin said her class chose to read all the way to San Francisco CA. And they did too.
Goals were outlined on a map. Each mile was logged for each minute that the students read. Moore assisted with postcards and information about destinations. When each class met their reading goals Moore visited the school with his truck gave tours of his cab and informed students of the significance of the trucking industry.
“He was so wonderful” said Austin. “We did appreciate it. All the kids piled in the back of his rig. We thought it was really nice of the company to allow the kids an opportunity to do that.”
For Moore it was an experience that warmed the heart. “I love helping kids. It meant so much to do this and it was fun helping children learn more about geography and trucking” he said.
The National Read Across America Day initially started 10 years ago in celebration of the birthday of Dr. Seuss. The celebration in subsequent years expanded to a year-round event creating unique opportunities for individuals like Moore to make a significant difference in the education of children.
Millis Transfer is proud to have been a participant in this first-ever Read A Book Per Mile Across America Program and is pleased to honor company driver Andrew Moore for his dedication and volunteerism. For more information on Millis Transfer located in Black River Falls WI call 1-800-937-0880 or visit the website at www.millistransfer.com.