Volunteers for the United Way of Freeborn County will read to over 1,200

students this month. They will go into kindergarten, first, and second grade classes in Freeborn County schools, read to the students, and then give each student a book.

The book, &8220;Three Words to Happiness,&8221; is a fairy tale about a brother and sister who restore happiness and color to a world that is gray and sad. The key is a magic door and three words, &8220;Touch a Life&8221; (the theme of the successful 2007 United Way Campaign). The children discover that helping others makes everything better, and that when they &8220;Touch a Life,&8221; color and happiness return to the world.

The book was written by local resident Jane Kepple Johnson, a teacher in the United South Central Schools. Photographer Janna Lehocky-Arbic, who also lives in Albert Lea and works at The Freeborn County Shopper, provided photographs. Albert Lea Medical Center, Wells Fargo Bank, Alliant Energy and the Albert Lea Noon Kiwanis Club donated printing costs. Employees of organizations that held a United Way campaign within their business and who increased their individual pledge to the United Way, or who were first time United Way givers, were recognized by having their name listed in the back of one book. More than 950 names were listed in a book.

The literacy project of the United Way began in 2001 when Marge Hamersly wrote and Marv Wangen illustrated a children&8217;s book that was given to Freeborn County students. Each year a local author and artist collaborate to create a book that encourages young children to read.