Giving Coloring Books to Students for Read Across America Day

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State Treasurer Curtis Loftis and noted S.C. cartoonist Robert Ariail took part in Read Across America Day Friday, with Treasurer Loftis handing out more than 100 Future Scholar coloring books to Columbia preschool students. “I am always excited to help promote the importance and love of reading,” Treasurer Loftis said. “I hope as these children enjoy the coloring book, they will begin to ask questions about a college education. I also hope their parents will view today as the perfect opportunity to begin saving for their child’s college expenses with Future Scholar.” Treasurer Loftis and Mr. Ariail, a two-time finalist for the Pulitzer Prize, visited and read the coloring book to preschool and kindergarten students at Columbia’s Trinity Learning Center. Titled Lucky Ducky and the Smart Plan, the coloring book shares the story of how Papa Pig plans to save for Lucky Ducky’s college education. The coloring books were created by the State Treasurer’s Office in conjunction with Mr. Ariail for Future Scholar, South Carolina’s 529 College Savings Plan. Future Scholar offers families a smart and easy way to save for their children’s college education expenses with opportunities for tax-deductible contributions from state income taxes, tax-free growth and tax-free distributions for qualified education expenses. National Education Association’s Read Across America Day promotes the joy of reading by calling for every child in every community to celebrate reading on March 2, the birthday of children’s author Dr. Seuss.