Since the beginning of the raising readers program in May of 2001, over 600,000 books have been distributed to over 103,000 Maine children. To celebrate these amazing milestones, raising readers hosted a symbolic “graduation” at the Blaine House on May 25, 2005.

Fifteen children in tiny caps and gowns represented all five-year-old children in Maine who will be “graduating” from raising readers this year. First lady Karen Baldacci handed out certificates to the children and encouraged them to continue to be “readers”.