United Way reading promotion literally puts food on the table
By Christin Runkle
EAGLE — A Caldwell mother won a $1,000 shopping spree to Albertsons as part of a United Way of Treasure Valley promotion that launched a school readiness initiative.
Jennifer Amaral, who is married with three children, found out she won the spree — and that she had been entered into the contest by a friend— last week.
“I thought it was pretty cool,” Amaral said. “It’s very unexpected but will definitely come in handy.”
When Amaral received her gift cards at Albertsons in Eagle on Monday, she and her family began shopping right away, picking up some cereal, bananas, chips and popcorn.
She expects the four $250 gift cards to last “a good couple of months” or longer.
“We try to make every penny stretch,” she added.
Participants filled out an online form and answered three questions about early learning.
The contest kicked off “Born Learning,” an initiative to help parents and caregivers give children a head start in learning before going to school.
Tod McKay, vice president of communications at United Way of Treasure Valley, said the initiative helps families prepare their children for success in school, work and life. It also encourages parents to turn everyday moments into opportunities for learning by talking with their children, reading to them for at least 30 minutes each day and limiting television, computers and video games to two hours a day or less.