Rays and Suncoast Credit Union launch 16th season of Reading with the Rays

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.— This summer, the Rays and Suncoast Credit Union will host the 16th season of Reading with the Rays—Read Your Way to the Ballpark, an incentive-based reading program that encourages Pre-K to 12th grade students to avoid summer learning loss by reading for 24 hours during the summer months.

Participating libraries track students’ progress and award prizes for reaching certain goals, including two free tickets to a Rays game. Reading with the Rays is made possible with the help of the Tampa Bay Times Newspaper in Education and public library systems in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Manatee, Citrus, Polk, Pasco, Hernando, Sarasota and Charlotte counties. Kids can pick up their Reading with the Rays game card at a participating library, or they can download a game card at www.RaysBaseball.com/Reading.

On Wednesday, May 24, the Rays will host a reading event at Campbell Park Elementary School. Rays pitcher Jason Adam will read several books to third graders. In addition, as part of the school’s end-of-year field day, the Rays will provide Papa John’s pizza, a Kona Ice truck, balloon artists, face painters and a special appearance by Rays mascots.

“We are proud to help empower children in our communities through reading, and to support their personal growth so that they are better prepared for life,” said Executive Director of Suncoast Credit Union Foundation Kourtney Berry. “This program encourages children to keep up with their reading goals during their summer break, and we look forward to seeing thousands of hours logged this year as a result of this program.”

Since the program’s inception in 2007, over 500,000 children across nine area counties have spent more than 2.85 million hours reading over the summer. For more information about the program, visit RaysBaseball.com/Reading.

The Rays are also launching a new Community Library Program, which will provide free books to children and families in the Tampa Bay area. On Sunday, May 21, fans can support the Rays Community Libraries by donating new children’s books for ages 5-13 outside of Gate 1 in Lot 7 and outside of Gate 4. Each household that donates five or more books will receive a ticket voucher valid for two (2) Lower Reserved tickets to a 2023 regular-season home game. For more information, visit www.RaysBaseball.com/Library.