Summer reading program fun. Submitted photo

WILTON — The Wilton Free Public Library has successfully closed out another Summer Reading Program. This year’s theme, A Universe of Stories, was all about space. Although the programs and activities that included rocket launching, jugglers, concerts, and galaxy slime were out of this world, the biggest take away is the generosity of those children who participated. Instead of earning prizes for themselves this year, children who participated in the reading goal portion of the program earned items to donate to the Western Maine Homeless Shelter.

Children participated in the many activities offered in the library’s program earned items to donate to the homeless shelter. Submitted photo

A group of 33 kids read books and did literacy activities throughout the summer to earn items like toilet paper, paper towels, laundry detergent, toothbrushes and toothpaste, diapers, wipes, band aids, body wash, bath poofs, pacifiers, and deodorant to give to the shelter. These items took the place of the usual bucket of prizes that kids would normally keep for themselves. Thank you to the Western Maine Homeless Outreach for coordinating this program with us and a special thank you to the Tyngtown Club who provides grant funding for the entire summer reading program each year!

Andrew Parlin, coordinator/navigator for WMHO accepts the donations collected by the summer reading program. Submitted photo