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Loma Linda University Community-Academic Partners in Service (CAPS) office worked with local churches, community organizations and businesses to bring reading to the Inland Empire during CAPS annual Spring Booknic event.

Sixty-nine children between the ages of 3 and 12 attended the Spring Booknic on April 2. The kids enjoyed one-on-one reading with volunteers, face painting, watching puppet shows, and participating in games, skits, arts and crafts, and an egg scavenger hunt. More than 100 volunteers helped staff the event.

The warm spring weather was the perfect setting for the volunteers to interact with the kids. Everyone enjoyed a lunch of burritos, fresh vegetables, homemade lemonade and chocolate prune cupcakes; all sponsored by the Loma Linda University Student Association.

A highlight for the kids came when Kathryn Knecht, PhD, associate professor, School of Pharmacy and director, Community Kids Connection, led them in Easter-themed songs.

Spring Booknic was made possible through donations, and because of the generosity of local partners, each child chose several books to take home.