Nebraska State Treasurer Don Stenberg is encouraging Nebraska youth ages 3 to 18 to take part in the summer reading programs at their local libraries for an opportunity to win a $529 NEST college savings account. He also is encouraging all Nebraska libraries to make the NEST Read to Win $529 Drawing available to their patrons.
Stenberg, who is Trustee of the Nebraska Educational Savings Trust, announced the Read to Win $529 Drawing in May at the Kearney Public Library. With him were Sally Snyder of the Nebraska Library Commission and Shawntel Daniell of First National Bank, Kearney.
“The Read to Win $529 Drawing is an exciting opportunity for parents to learn more about our excellent state-sponsored college savings program and for young readers to start or add to their college savings accounts. If you haven’t heard about the Read to Win $529 Drawing at your local library, ask your librarian more about it,” Stenberg said.
Children and teens may participate in the Read to Win $529 drawing by completing their local libraries’ requirements for the summer reading program and registering through their local libraries before August 22. Fifteen summer readers between the ages of 3 and 18 will be selected in a random drawing to win a $529 contribution each to a NEST 529 College Savings account. Five winners will be selected from each of Nebraska’s three congressional districts. The library of each winner also will receive a $250 contribution from NEST.
Winners will be invited to a recognition event this fall in the Capitol. Money for the Read to Win $529 Drawing is provided by First National Bank of Omaha, Program Manager for NEST.
Stenberg said 13,960 children, who were summer readers at 53 libraries, participated in the NEST drawing last year. He would like to see an increase in both the number of children entering the drawing and the number of libraries participating.
“Libraries large and small can offer this drawing at little extra effort on their part. We would particularly like to see libraries in mid-size cities that did not participate last year sign up this year,” Stenberg said. Details are available on the Nebraska Library Commission website at nlc.nebraska.gov.
“At NEST, we recognize the role that reading plays in a child’s educational success and life-long love of learning. We are committed to helping families prepare financially for their children’s educational futures through our tax-advantaged NEST 529 college savings plans and the multiple scholarship opportunities we offer,” Stenberg said.
“Read to Win is an easy contest to enter. While children are having fun choosing books to read by themselves or in family groups and completing their libraries’ summer reading requirements, they also can be entered in the Read to Win $529 Drawing. Only a parent’s signature is required. Nothing more,” he said.
Nebraska Library Commission Director Rod Wagner said, “NEST Read to Win $529 is an excellent incentive for Nebraska Summer Reading Program participants and a great way to bring awareness to Nebraska’s 529 College Savings Plans. Young readers become lifelong learners, and we anticipate that this summer more Nebraska libraries will encourage their summer readers to participate in this opportunity to benefit from college savings plans when they advance to higher education.”
Read to Win contest rules are available at www.NEST529.com. Click on “Grow” and select “Scholarships & Rewards.” Rules also are available here.
Information on the Nebraska Summer Reading Program is available at local libraries or at the Nebraska Library Commission’s website at http://nlc.nebraska.gov/youth/summerreading/.
About Nebraska Library Commission
As Nebraska's state library agency, the Nebraska Library Commission is an advocate for the library and information needs of all Nebraskans. The mission of the Library Commission is statewide promotion, development, and coordination of library and information services-"bringing together people and information." Visit http://booksarejustthebeginning.com/ for more examples of how Books Are Just the Beginning at Nebraska libraries.
About NEST 529
NEST 529 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 297,000 accounts, including over 97,000 Nebraskans. 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.
