As part of this year's "In A World of Service" theme, International Lions President Wayne Madden is challenging Lions everywhere to participate in the Reading Action Program to focus on increasing literacy and access to learning resources through their service.

Lehighton Area Lioness Lions Club members said they have taken that recommendation seriously.Sue Anthony, LALLC club secretary, said that her club has a goal of reaching to 1,000 people this year and since she initiated the program with Lehighton Area School District, the club is on its way."We've read to students at Shull David and Mahoning elementary schools and planned an event at the Lehighton High Rise," she said. "I want to thank Mr. Sebelin and Mr. Blakeslee for allowing us to come into the schools to read to the students."This week club members were reading to Intermediate Unit 21 students who attend classes at Lehighton Area Middle School.While at the middle school, club members also donated supplies that the classrooms use to enhance the curriculum."We donated some Play-Doh, white boards and markers," said Anthony.The Reading Action Program is a call to action for every Lions club around the world to organize service projects and activities that underscore the importance of reading and address specific needs related to illiteracy within their own community.LALLC has taken on the challenge by scheduling reading dates at schools, preschools and day care centers.Madden believes that literacy the ability to read and write is the foundation for education and social development."Hundreds of millions of adults lack minimum literacy skills and millions of school-aged children are not attending school to obtain them," he wrote in a letter to Lions members.