Read-A-Thon FAQs

 ❖ What is Read-A-Thon?

 Read-A-Thon is an annual Sparta Education Foundation fundraiser that raises money for our schools while encouraging and rewarding students for reading. Strong reading skills are key to educational success and our 14 days of reading gets students involved and excited about books and other reading materials.

❖ How does it work?

 Read-A-Thon takes place over 14 days. During this time, students record minutes they read daily at home and solicit support in the form of donations for time read from friends and family. Donations are a one-time fixed donation.

 Students earn 15% of every dollar they raise to spend on prizes of their choice in the Read-A-Thon Online Prize Store.

 A portion of the funds raised through Read-A-Thon supports the Sparta Education Foundation, which puts those dollars right back into our schools through grants awarded to Sparta Township Public Schools. Reaching our goal is something we can do together! If every student raises just $50, we’ll meet our Read-A-Thon fundraising goal!

❖ What reading counts? Does reading to my student count as well? 

Yes, ALL reading counts, including being read to by another student or an adult. If one student reads to another student, they both get the minutes. Books, e-books, picture books, textbooks, graphic novels, magazines, and newspapers all count towards minutes. 

❖ When do students begin and end logging reading time?

Students may begin logging minutes on September 28th. Read-A-Thon ends at bedtime on October 12th. 

❖ Do students have to keep track of minutes read?

Yes! Students will need to keep track of their minutes from their Read-A-Thon.com fundraising page dashboard under “Start A Reading Session”.  

❖ How do I get my prizes? 

After the event ends on October 12th, ReadAThon.com provides all readers with a 10-day grace period to collect any final donations and make their prize selections in the Online Prize Store. The event will officially close at the end of this 10-day period, and prizes will be shipped shortly afterward.

Once SEF receives the prizes, our team will sort and distribute them to each school for students to take home. SEF will share prize delivery updates on our social media channels and will also send email updates as soon as shipping and distribution information becomes available.

Please do not expect prizes before November 1. Actual delivery dates will depend on when the prizes are received from ReadAThon.com.

❖ How do I collect sponsors and donations? 

Once your student’s Read-A-Thon page is set up, share, share, share! Their personal fundraising page makes it easy to invite family and friends to support their reading. 

Use the tools available through ReadAThon.com to send text-message and/or email invitations, and share your student’s fundraising page with grandparents, relatives, family friends, neighbors, and others who may want to cheer them on.

Sponsors can donate directly through your student’s personal Read-A-Thon page, so there’s no need to collect cash or keep track of donations yourself. ******NO CASH OR CHECKS WILL BE COLLECTED THROUGH THE SCHOOL.******

💡 Don’t forget: Sending 10 text-message invitations through the Read-A-Thon platform automatically enters your student into the drawing for a trip to Disney World!

❖ Do we need to create a fundraising page to participate?

Yes. In order to streamline the process and make donation collection easier for sponsors, students are required to create a fundraising page (for free) on ReadAthon.com. In order to create your page, your student will need their teacher’s classroom code. This code can be found on the flyer that was sent home. Lost the flyer? No problem- send us an email at SpartaReads@SpartaEducationFoundation.org with your student’s school and teacher name and we will get that code to you!   

❖ Where can I go to donate?

 Your student can give you a link to their personal fundraising page.

❖ Can I donate online for multiple students?

Of course! Simply go to each student’s fundraising page to donate.

❖ Are Read-A-Thon donations tax-deductible?

Yes, in accordance with IRS regulations, no goods or services will be provided in return for your Read-A-Thon donation.

❖ Can students win prizes?

Yes. All participating students can earn 15% of the funds they raise to spend in the ReadAthon.com online store. Sparta Education Foundation is also awarding the top-earning class in each grade a $100 Amazon Gift Card to celebrate their incredible Read-A-Thon fundraising efforts!

❖ Have a different question or need help? 

No problem- send us an email at SpartaReads@SpartaEducationFoundation.org

❖ How can I learn more about Sparta Education Foundation?

Explore our website and follow us on Facebook and Instagram.