(Rochester, NY) — The Rochester Americans and the Monroe County Library System are once again partnering to provide the “Reading Power Play”, which teams Amerks players with local public librarians in support of reading. The 2018-19 season marks the 14th year of the program and is presented exclusively by Wendy’s.
The Amerks will kick-off the 14th season of the program with a 6:30 p.m. visit from Amerks defenseman Nathan Paetsch on Monday, Nov. 5 at the Fairport Public Library with the first of 12 reading appearances.
The Reading Power Play involves players stopping by local libraries, reading to kids and giving a hockey demonstration. Each appearance also features a raffle and an autograph session by the visiting player and The Moose.
“Linking books and the Amerks make reading all the more fun for kids,” said Fairport Children’s Librarian and Monroe County Library System representative Amy Joslyn. “Plus, there is the added excitement of seeing their favorite player reading a book at their local library during the season. The Amerks are role models for kids all the way around.”
The Reading Power Play allows fans to meet players and The Moose, while also learning about hockey and the importance of reading. The program also rewards kids for reading and selects two grand-prize winners that will win suite tickets and the chance to drop the ceremonial first puck prior to Rochester’s home game on Sunday, Feb. 17 against the Binghamton Devils.
At each event, the Amerks will distribute ticket vouchers to each youth in attendance good for one complimentary ticket for the Feb. 17 home game. Vouchers can be redeemed at The Blue Cross Arena Box Office or the Amerks front office. Additional discounted tickets for the game can also be purchased.
The second half of Reading Power Play enters kids into a grand-prize drawing. Using the hat trick as an educational incentive, youth participants fill out a form for every three books they read, which then qualifies them for an entry into the grand prize drawing.
The Reading Power Play runs from Monday, Nov. 5 to Thursday, Jan. 31. A complete reading program schedule is available online at www.amerks.com/page/reading program. For more information on the reading program or to book player or Moose appearances, please contact the Amerks Public Relations department at (585) 454-5335.
2018-19 Reading Power Play Appearance Dates*
November:
Monday, Nov. 5 6:30 p.m. at Fairport
Tuesday, Nov. 20 6:30 p.m. at Brighton
December:
Tuesday, Dec. 4 6:30 p.m. at Irondequoit
Thursday, Dec. 6 6:30 p.m. at Penfield
Thursday, Dec. 13 6:30 p.m. at Gates
January:
Thursday, Jan. 10 6:30 p.m. at Chili
Monday, Jan. 14 6:30 p.m. at Mendon
Tuesday, Jan. 15 6:30 p.m. at Webster
Wednesday, Jan. 16 6:30 p.m. at Downtown Public Library
Thursday, Jan. 24 6:00 p.m. at Charlotte
Tuesday, Jan. 29 6:30 p.m. at Pittsford
Thursday, Jan. 31 6:30 p.m. at Greece
*schedule subject to change
