KEVIN YOUKILIS “HITS FOR KIDS” PARTNERS WITH NEW ENGLAND MOBILE BOOK FAIR® AND ESTABLISHES YOUK’S KIDS READING GROUP

NEWTON, MA - Red Sox First Baseman Kevin Youkilis announced today that his charitable organization, Kevin Youkilis “Hits For Kids”, has forged a partnership with the New England Mobile Book Fairâ, establishing Youk’s Kids Reading Group – a program aimed at furthering the important values of reading and literacy among young people. New England Mobile Book Fairâ is a 51 year-old family-owned general bookstore located in Newton, Massachusetts.

“I am excited to launch this great literacy program with the Book Fair,” said Kevin Youkilis.  “Reading is a skill so often taken for granted, but more than 2 million adults in Massachusetts do not have functional English literacy skills.  The Youk’s Kids Reading Group will encourage children to read at an early age and help stamp out illiteracy.”

Youk’s Kids Reading Group at the Book Fair is open to all children up to the age of fifteen.  Every member of the group will receive a $5.00 Book Fair gift certificate on his/her birthday.  In addition, members have the option to submit an essay (addressing the topics why reading is important, why he/she loves to read, his/her favorite books, why charity is important and/or why he/she wants to meet Kevin Youkilis), for a chance to win baseballs autographed by Kevin.  At the end of the baseball season, one essay contest winner in several age categories will be selected to have lunch with Kevin Youkilis.

The Book Fair will also be contributing to the programs supported by Kevin Youkilis “Hits For Kids.”  For example, the Book Fair will hold “Hits For Kids” months, where a portion of sales proceeds at the Book Fair will be contributed to “Hits For Kids.”  In addition, the Book Fair will develop a program whereby books will be donated to designated recipients of Hits For Kids, including school libraries that currently lack adequate resources.

“We are thrilled to have Kevin establish this program at the Book Fair, because he shares the important values of reading and literacy as well as giving back to the community,” said Steve Gans, Chief Operating Officer/General Counsel of New England Mobile Book Fair®.  “The Book Fair has a 51-year tradition of serving the community, and we could not be more pleased to join with Kevin in this project.  Kevin has a sincere interest in encouraging reading and literacy amongst youth, and kids look at people such as Kevin as role models. We hope the synergy between Kevin and the Book Fair brings attention to the important values of reading, literacy and charity.”

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For more details and/or for essay contest rules regarding Youk’s Kids Reading Group at the New England Mobile Book Fair® go to www.nebookfair.com, or call 617-964-7440.

About New EnglandMobile Book Fair®
New EnglandMobile Book Fair® is a 51 year-old family-owned, venerable independent general bookstore in Newton, Massachusetts.  New England Mobile Book Fair, Inc., still owned by the Strymish family of Newton MA, also includes an Educational Book Service which services schools and town libraries throughout New England, as well as Jessica’s Biscuitâ/ecookbooks.com, the nation’s leading catalog and internet-based company devoted to cookbooks.  Biscuit Books, Inc., a publishing company, is a related company of New England Mobile Book Fair, Inc.

About Kevin Youkilis Hits for Kids
Kevin Youkilis Hits for Kids is a charitable organization founded by Boston Red Sox first basemanKevin Youkilis, dedicated to rallying local and corporate support for charities and organizations focused on the health and wellbeing of children. Kevin Youkilis Hits for Kids teams up with existing community-based children's charities and medical research programs in New England, to help them raise money and awareness. These organizations include: Christopher's Haven, Italian Home for Children and Joslin Diabetes Center's Pediatric Health Services.

To learn more about Kevin Youkilis Hits for Kids, or to make a donation, please visit www.youkskids.org.