On March 17, the North Bend Masonic Lodge presented bicycles and helmets to two students of Opstad Elementary who participated in the school’s reading achievement program. This is the first of five such contributions to the 2017 reading programs of local elementary schools.

North Bend Masons sponsor the Bikes for Books program with the participation of Singletrack Cycles of North Bend to encourage students to read. Each year, they contribute bicycles to children participating in reading programs in local elementary schools.

Students in the reading programs are encouraged to read age-appropriate books. Each school chooses two readers to receive bikes and safety helmets. The goal of the program is to establish a love for reading early in life. Evidence shows that schools participating in the program see improved reading scores among their students.

Opstad Elementary school is named for Edwin R. Opstad, an early member of the Lodge in North Bend. Superintendent of the Fall City School District for many years, Opstad was the first superintendent of the Snoqualmie Valley School District that was formed in 1944.