IRON MOUNTAIN - Christopher Ashburn, the new coordinator for the Newspapers in Education program at The Daily News, is excited to expand the program to reach more people on a larger scale.
"To help with this, I've been coming up with more ideas for community events and fundraisers, working hard to involve more local businesses and encourage more people to donate what they can," said Ashburn, a native of Kingsford. "I know that if everyone can work together, NIE can reach an all-time high, and with that, provide even more newspapers to even more school systems, which is something everyone in our community can be proud of."
One way Ashburn plans to do this is through NIE's Dollars for Education fundraiser.
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Christopher Ashburn, coordinator for the Newspapers in Education (NIE) program at The Daily News, displays a Dollars for Education sign. NIE provides newspapers and teaching guides to area schools. The program is free to any teacher who wants to use the newspaper as a teaching tool in the classroom.
As a way to raise money for the upcoming school year, each summer the NIE Program holds a Dollars For Education Fundraiser. Area businesses have signs available for sale for $1.
Patrons can write their name or message on the sign to be displayed through August.
"In this program, we ask businesses to allow customers to donate $1 to NIE, and in return the customer can write their name on a sign and hang the sign in the business," Ashburn said.
Businesses participating in the Dollars for Education program are: Freedom Gas Station in Iron Mountain, A&W of Iron Mountain, The Curve Inn in Spread Eagle, Wis., Kelly's Corner Store in Florence, Wis., E-Z Stop Gas Station in Iron Mountain, C&R Bar in Aurora, Wis., and Kingsford Self Serve.
Businesses who are not yet participating are encouraged to contact Ashburn to sign up.
Ashburn said NIE is also planning many new and fun events for the summer and fall.
"I want to plan events that people can enjoy and will get excited to participate in," he said. "Because without the help of local citizens and all of our amazing local-area businesses, we wouldn't be able to accomplish nearly as much as I would like to."
Ashburn graduated from Kingsford High School in 2009 and attended Bay de Noc Community College for business administration.
"I love working for The Daily News, especially as the NIE Coordinator because it gives me an opportunity to work hard and achieve my goals," Ashburn said. "I enjoy doing something that has a positive effect on both our local community and the surrounding areas. I enjoy working for a good cause, and I definitely love putting on fun events for the community."
NIE provides newspapers and teaching guides to area schools. The program is free of charge to any teacher who wants to use the newspaper as a teaching tool in the classroom.
N.I.E. also provides newspapers to local adult education classrooms and the adult literacy program.
Any person, business or organization interested in contributing to NIE and helping support the program should contact Ashburn at (906) 774-2772 ext. 17 or email cashburn@ironmountaindailynews.com.
Lisa M. Hoffmann's e-mail address is lhoffmann@ironmountaindailynews.com.