Teens and Tweens Welcome Bright Spot for Reading

Local teens and tweens welcomed a new addition to the  on Friday. 

Club members, ages 11 to 18, quickly claimed their area as they packed the "Bright Spot" Reading Room with books in their hands.

The Walmart Foundation awarded $10,000 grants to 100 clubs across the country as part of its Bright Spot for Reading Initiative. The organization in Gig Harbor was one of the two clubs in the state that received funding to launch a reading room at its facility.

They roped off a section of the art room with a sign "Teens and Tweens only" and set up comfy chairs and funky light fixtures that they purchased from .

Teen program director Bernie Rhoades said the kids got to help design the room and request which books they wanted in their bookshelves. They also used the money to purchase two Kindles, which immediately became one of the popular items among the youngsters.

"We hope the program will open up new opportunities for our teens and tweens," said Rhoades. "These students often get overlooked, and we really needed a physical place (away from distractions like video games and pool tables) for them to work on their homework or read."

Rhoades also said the new room will be a useful tool to keep up with academics as the students get out of school for the summer next month.

The room will be available to students during regular club hours from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday.