Cards to launch reading program

AUGUSTA—The New Jersey Cardinals will again partner with D&H Alternative Risk Solutions to continue a for children in Northern New Jersey designed to encourage reading. There are five levels to the program, and for each level completed, kids will earn a Cardinals ticket along with other prizes. Those participants who reach the home run level, will be honored during a pre-game ceremony and will have their picture taken with a Cardinals player. The top three overall readers will have their own baseball card made with a New Jersey Cardinals player to be handed out Aug. 31. Children attending kindergarten through grade eight are eligible to participate. The program will run, March 2-Aug. 12. Participants are asked to read one book for the first level (or a single) to receive a Cardinals general admission ticket; five additional books to complete the second level (or a double) and receive a Cardinals decal sticker; if participants read another five books to complete the third level (triple), they will be able to watch the Cardinals take batting practice; to get a home run, participants will have to read 25 books to be honored during a pregame ceremony. "The Cardinals are excited about the reading program," said Tony Torre, New Jersey Cardinals vice president and general manager. "We are grateful to Wayne Dietz of D&H Alternative Risk Solutions, for sponsoring the program. Mr. Dietz has been a long-time Cardinals supporter and we thank him for his continued involvement with the club. The Cardinals are committed to the area youth and to their education." "I am thrilled to enter into this partnership with the Cardinals, to help give the youth in this area a head start in their education," said Dietz. "I love this community and the people in it; this is my way of giving back to it." For information, call 579-7500; or visit www.njcards.com.