Sonic is challenging Baton Rouge citizens to give to the community – and receive a free Slush drink in return.  Sonic has partnered with Volunteers In Public Schools (VIPS) to host a Book “Drive-In” event at seven Sonic locations in East Baton Rouge Parish during the week of May 23–27 in support of VIPS’ EveryBody Reads All Summer Program.  When customers drive in to a participating Sonic location and drop off a new book for a child in the first grade, they will receive a free Slush drink of their choice.  All donated books will go to East Baton Rouge Parish School System students who participated in VIPS’ EveryBody Reads Program during the school year.  The program helps participating students maintain gains in reading ability over the summer.

“Our students made great strides over the course of the school year, and we want to ensure they continue that progress over the summer months,” said Hope Dawan, VIPS’ EveryBody Reads coordinator.  “Many of the students we serve come from a home without many books.” 

Research shows that low-income students are at risk of experiencing “summer setback” – a phenomenon where students fall behind their peers by as much as two months of reading ability over the summer (Annie E. Casey Foundation).  Students enrolled by their parents/guardians in the EveryBody Reads All Summer Program will have the opportunity to receive free books all summer long.  Each free book comes with a book report and stamped envelope addressed to the VIPS Office.  When the student reads the book, completes the book report and mails the report back to VIPS, another book, book report and envelope are mailed to the student’s home.  The student keeps each free book.  The process continues throughout the summer for as long as the student continues to read!

Last summer, VIPS distributed more than 1,200 books to public school students at risk of summer setback.  Sonic has teamed up with VIPS to ensure the continuing success of the program in 2011.  The following Sonic locations are participating in the Book “Drive-In:”
•         8223 Airline Hwighway
•         3836 Harding Blvd.
•         18189 Highland Road
•         2434 O'Neil Lane
•         4171 Perkins Road
•         10570 Perkins Road
•         1801 S. Sherwood Forest Blvd.

A recommended list of first-grade books for donors is available on VIPS’ Web site, vips.ebrschools.org.

VIPS is an independent, non-profit organization that works to foster student success and build support for public education.  For more information or to volunteer, contact Rob Wood at (225) 226-4701 or visit the Web site at vips.ebrschools.org.