SACO – For the fifth year, Saco Freemasons have teamed up with local schools to help develop a lifelong interest in reading.

Bikes For Books is a Freemasons project that encourages students from targeted schools to read books and fill out a report in return for a chance to win a bike. The more books read, the more entries the student receives. An estimated 3,500 books have been read by students in previous years with some students reading as many as 30 books in their quest to win a new bike.

This year, the Bikes for Books program will target Young and Fairfield schools in Saco, as well as St. James in Biddeford. Saco Freemasons will give away more 50 bikes this year.

Kick-off assemblies were rolled out previously in the year, with the award ceremonies for Fairfield School on May 30, Young School on June 2, and St. James School on June 7, at which point the students were notified of the winners.

Pickup of the bikes this year were scheduled for Sunday, June 11, at Fairfield School. The event will also be attended by the Michael Goulet Foundation, who will provide fitted bike helmets for all winners, as well as assist with a bike safety program.

According to a June 9 news release, Saco Freemasons raise money for the bikes with its annual golf tournament, and many generous sponsors. This year’s charity golf tournament will be held Monday, Oct. 2, at Dunegrass Golf Couse in Old Orchard Beach.

For more information, contact Bill Cline at bcpisces60@yahoo.com or 207-229-7052.