TOLEDO (December 11, 2001) — Governor Bob Taft today visited four Northwest Ohio schools and paid tribute to volunteers and students participating in the OhioReads program. “I’m excited to see the exemplary OhioReads programs taking place in Northwest Ohio schools,” Taft said. “Volunteers throughout the region are working hard to ensure that our students will be able to read at grade level by the end of the fourth grade. I applaud these schools for their commitment to improving the reading skills of their students and for helping to make OhioReads such a great success in this part of our state.” The Governor participated in programs at Elm Street Elementary in Wauseon; Washington Elementary in Bryan; Anthony Wayne Elementary in Defiance and Payne Elementary in Payne, Ohio. Taft highlighted that an additional $19.7 million has been awarded in new OhioReads Classroom, Community and Continuation grants for FY 2002-2003, which will establish 300 new Classroom programs, 77 new Community programs and continue all current programs. OhioReads was originally established in 1999 with $50 million in statewide OhioReads Classroom and Community grants for FY 2000-2001. OhioReads currently has more than 40,000 tutors working with children in more than 2,000 elementary schools across the state. Individuals, businesses or community organizations wishing to volunteer may contact OhioReads at 1-888-OhioReads. Additional information about OhioReads can be found at www.ohioreads.org.