Amanda Forrester / news@whmi.com

The Highlander Reading Express is getting a boost after receiving a $3,000 grant.

The Dollar General Literacy Foundation recently awarded Howell Public Schools the grant to support their summer literacy program.

The Foundation donated a one-day, record-setting amount of more than $13.2 million to adult, family and summer literacy programs in the 48 states that the company operates in.

The district’s mobile library, The Highlander Reading Express travels around the Howell community to help students keep learning and reading during the summer. Teachers, administrators and support staff volunteer to drive the converted school bus and help students choose books.

The summer schedule starts June 10. Its schedule of stops can be found at the link below.

“We are incredibly grateful to the Dollar General Literacy Foundation for its general support of the Highlander Reading Express,” Dr. Erin MacGregor, Howell Public Schools Superintendent, said. “Thanks to this grant, we will be able to complete the largest refresh of the Highlander Reading Express book collection since its launch in 2018. With guidance from our outstanding media specialists, we’ve added many of the most popular books and series, which will be available for students to check out all summer long.”

Referrals to local organizations supported by the Dollar General Literacy Foundation can be found below.

“For our 30 years, the Foundation has been investing in literacy and basic education programs in our hometown communities,” Denine Torr, Executive Director of the Dollar General Literacy Foundation, said. “Today’s grant announcement is a celebration of our unwavering commitment to student and teacher success. We are grateful to all the grant recipients for their commitment to advancing education and helping students thrive.”:

(photo credit: Howell Public Schools)