Read, read, read.

That was the theme of Wednesday evening’s event at Panther Valley Intermediate School.

Families, Panther Valley officials and representatives from Bennett Automotive Group gathered to join in to welcome the district’s new Panther Valley Book Buggy, a mobile library that will encourage students to read by bringing the books to them.

Robert Palazzo, principal of Panther Valley Elementary School and one of the organizers of the initiative, was thrilled to see this idea become a reality.

Palazzo was originally hoping to use a horse trailer to create the mobile library that would compliment the Panther Valley Public Library’s efforts and bring books to families who can’t make it to the physical library.

“We’re very thankful to everyone who helped make this a reality,” he said, “We always say Panther Valley is truly a community and this will allow us to bring books into the community.”

He said that the vehicle will travel to the district’s lunch pickup locations for now and will then attend different events around the Panther Valley area.

“Reading is so important,” Palazzo said before the group cut the ribbon that officially opened the buggy.

“The Panther Valley Book Buggy is another testament to the power of our community. Together we’re going to continue to work to show the naysayers and critics that PV is a great place to live and a great place for kids to go to school.”

Nicole Pollinger of United Way CarbonCorps said that this is a first for the district and was happy to have been part of creating this unit.

Superintendent Dave McAndrew echoed Palazzo and Pollinger’s thoughts.

“We’re excited to get books into children’s hands,” he said. “The more you read, the better you do in school.

“This will help make them lifelong learners.”

Rob Bennett, president of Bennett Automotive Group, said that he was raised with the belief that the greatest gift in life is to be a service to another. “The opportunity you have given to my family to be of service to this community means a great deal to us,” he said, commending the district on the innovative idea.

In addition to Bennett, other groups that helped make this initiative possible was Endgame Marketing Solutions of Bethlehem, who did the vehicle design and wrap; Stirling Paint and Renovation of Whitehall, who did the custom shelving; Lehigh Valley Reads and Cops for Kids, who donated the books; Walmart, who provided the food; St. Luke’s; United Way; Panther Valley Public Library; and the school’s PTO.