Nebraska State Treasurer Don Stenberg, First National Bank of Omaha, and the Nebraska Library Commission presented 15 Nebraska children and teenagers each with a $529 contribution to a NEST 529 College Savings account today in the fourth annual Read to Win Drawing at the Nebraska State Capitol Rotunda. Each winner’s respective library branch was awarded $250.
Out of 13,000 entries, five children were selected at random from each of Nebraska’s three U.S. Congressional Districts. Children between the ages of 3 and 18 were automatically entered into the drawing if they were registered for summer reading programs at their local libraries and completed local requirements for the programs.
“In addition to sparking creativity and improving critical thinking skills, reading has been associated with higher rates of academic success among young children,” said State Treasurer Stenberg, Trustee of NEST. “It is reassuring to see the number of entries rise each year as we lend support to our community libraries that play a large part in fostering children’s education and love of books.”
The 2017 winners, their hometowns, and the libraries where they participated in summer reading are as follows:
“At NEST, we encourage children to dream big for their futures and to achieve their academic goals. Through the fourth annual Read to Win $529 Drawing, we are proud to promote literacy as well as motivate families to save for their children’s academic futures,” said Deborah Goodkin, Managing Director, Savings Plans, First National Bank of Omaha.
To find out more about NEST College Savings Plans, visit www.NEST529.com or treasurer.nebraska.gov.
About NEST
NEST is a tax-advantaged 529 college savings plan and provides four plans to help make saving for college simple and affordable: NEST Direct College Savings Plan, the NEST Advisor College Savings Plan, the Bloomwell 529 Education Savings Plan, and the State Farm 529 Savings Plan. The Nebraska State Treasurer serves as Program Trustee. Union Bank & Trust Company serves as Program Manager, and all investments are approved by the Nebraska Investment Council. Families nationwide are saving for college using Nebraska’s 529 College Savings Plans, which have more than 285,000 accounts, including over 94,000 in Nebraska. Visit NEST529.com and treasurer.nebraska.gov for more information.
About First National Bank of Omaha
First National Bank of Omaha is a subsidiary of First National of Nebraska. First National of Nebraska and its affiliates have more than $23 billion in assets and 5,000 employee associates. Primary banking offices are located in Nebraska, Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, South Dakota and Texas.
