Downtown Kiwanis Club members presented a bike to Morgan first grader Ellee Alonso, the Morgan "Read to Ride" winner for the fall semester.

The Kiwanis Club donated a bicycle, helmet, and lock to Clark, McNabb, and Morgan elementary schools as part of the "Read to Ride" program. To qualify to win the bike, students took Accelerated Reader quizzes. The students' names were placed in the drawing for each AR quiz that was passed during the fall semester.

The Read to Ride program is a program sponsored by the Downtown Kiwanis Club of Paducah Kentucky. It's purpose is to encourage elementary age student to take a greater interest in reading books. This program began in the 2008-09 school year and works in conjunction with the Accelerated Reader Program, a computer-based reading management and motivational system designed to challenge children to read more books. A bicycle, helmet and lock were donated to each of the three Paducah Elementary schools and awarded to a student at mid-year and also at the end of the school year.  Winners were chosen based on the student who had accumulated the most points in the Accelerated Reader Program. The Accelerated Reader program uses a weighted point based system that award points based on the reading level of the book. Club member Craig Howard suggested the project to the club after moving to the area from New Orleans. The program is modeled after one used by the Dawn Busters Kiwanis Club of Metairie Louisiana (New Orleans area) that has been very successful in encouraging students to read more books. This is Paducah Kiwanis’ fourth year for the program. Paducah Kiwanis gives a special thanks to Bike World of Paducah who has partnered with the Downtown Kiwanis Club of Paducah by providing the bikes, helmets and locks at a greatly reduced price.

Downtown Kiwanis is a group of men and women dedicated to philanthropic efforts and community service.  The club raises most of its funds through an annual Christmas Auction and participation in Bar-b-Que on the River. The Club meets on Thursdays at noon at the Elks Lodge, 310 N 4^th St.  Visitors and prospective members are always welcome.

For more information on Downtown Kiwanis, contact club president Brandon Clifton at 444.8910 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or Chuck Williamson at 441.0825.