Eight Lynchburg City elementary schools have blown past their collective goal in a citywide Read‑A‑Thon, logging more than 1.1 million minutes of reading and raising $51,372 to support their Parent Teacher Organizations.
The effort ran February 25 through March 6, aligning with Read Across America Week. Students from Bass, Bedford Hills, Dearington, Linkhorne, Paul Munro, Perrymont, Robert S. Payne and Sandusky Elementary Schools set out to read 800,000 minutes in ten days — and surpassed it by more than 300,000 minutes. In total, 1,407 family members and community supporters contributed to the fundraising effort.
This year’s totals easily outpaced last year’s Read‑A‑Thon, when six schools read 732,000 minutes and raised just over $42,000.
Parents See Big Impact
For many PTOs, the fundraising boost is significant.
“Our first Read‑A‑Thon in 2026 has not only excited our whole student body… it has already financially helped us raise over $7,000, which is money we have never had in the four years my children have been at Linkhorne Elementary,” said Jen Douglas, Pep Squad leader at Linkhorne Elementary. She noted the funds will ease financial burdens on families and create new opportunities for teachers and students.
Perrymont PTO Secretary and Read‑A‑Thon Chair Morgan Hall said the school saw a surge of enthusiasm throughout the event.
“The Read‑A‑Thon has energized Perrymont Elementary students, transforming reading into a school‑wide celebration filled with excitement, friendly competition, and proud moments,” Hall said.
School Celebrations Scheduled Through March 13
Each school will hold a celebration between March 6 and March 13 featuring special guests, sponsors and the Hill City Howlers mascot. Media are invited to attend. Celebration dates and times for each school are listed in the press release.
Top readers will earn prizes from local partners, including scooters from Givens Books & Little Dickens, helmets from Blackwater Bike Shop, Hill City Howlers prize packs and first‑pitch certificates, plus passes and treats from Aqua Zoo, Bounce Lynchburg, FunQuest, Jersey Mike’s, Joe Bean’s and Chick‑Fil‑A.
A Growing Tradition in Lynchburg Schools
The Read‑A‑Thon is part of the LCS PTO Connect initiative, launched in 2021 to help PTO leaders collaborate and share resources. Bedford Hills Elementary held the first Read‑A‑Thon that same year after its carnival fundraiser was canceled during the COVID‑19 pandemic. Since then, the program has expanded to eight elementary schools and has raised more than $140,000 over five years.
The initiative is supported by numerous community sponsors, including the LCS Education Foundation, Meade & Edward Lane, Bates Family Orthodontics, Children’s Dentistry & Orthodontics of Lynchburg, Givens Books & Little Dickens, the Hill City Howlers, Blackwater Bike Shop, House of Vacuums and Schewels Home.
More here: [LCS Elemen...e_3.9.2026 | PDF]