&dquo;District One has always been on the forefront of innovative educational practices. We have a long history of seeing a great program and moving it forward,&dquo; Littlefield said. &dquo;It happened in 1934 at Landrum High School with what is now the National Beta Club and in the mid-1980&squo;s when the National Technical Honor Society began at our Swofford Career Center. We see the Need To Read program as being a vital part of education now and in the future. We will enjoy watching it become another national program we were the first to embrace.&dquo;

Lou Landrum, Executive Director of the Second Presbyterian Soup Kitchen, said, &dquo;Since the inception of Need To Read, I have seen the children flourish with their ability to read.&bsp; In fact, this summer a lot of the children have shared their reading abilities with smaller children over in the Children&squo;s Corner. &bsp;

&dquo;Need To Read has been instrumental in some of the parents attaining their GED to be able to assist their children with school subjects.&dquo;

Following the formal announcement, many who gathered entered the Soup Kitchen, where Mabry Middle School students distributed free books to children who had finished their meals.

As Need To Read Book Club members, the Mabry Middle School students raised money to buy books to give to the charity of their choice.&bsp; The Soup Kitchen has been the selected site for many Need To Read efforts. &bsp;

&dquo;I am thrilled to know that so many more students are going to get to experience what I have by developing their love of reading and learning how to serve others.&bsp; To know you&squo;ve had an impact on another person&squo;s life is an incredible feeling. I am proud that District One has embraced my efforts to make a difference,&dquo; said Need To Read founder, 17-year-old Emily Conrad.