We commend The Kiwanis Club of Oxford for encouraging local elementary-aged children to improve their literacy skills.

The club, which recently awarded bicycles to 12 boys and girls from the Oxford and Lafayette County school districts through the Kiwanis Reading Awards, is improving Lafayette County’s literacy rate and preparing our children for success by making reading fun.

And what better  way to do so than by giving a prize to excelling students that also encourages physical fitness and daily exercise.

We thank Kiwanis Club President Jim Stephens and his members for their service to Lafayette County, and the time taken to organize and execute the Reading Awards.

The children who were encouraged to improve their reading skills will long benefit from your service, and the L-O-U community is fortunate to have like service clubs who work to improve the quality of life in our town.

Kiwanis has a deep tradition of serving children both in Oxford and internationally for roughly 100 years. We look forward to seeing what this cornerstone service club has for future children.