On Wednesday, March 1, the North Bend Masonic Lodge presented bicycles and helmets to two students of Snoqualmie Elementary School, Zoe Hendricks and Carter Cantrell, both in the third grade.

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 each of the elementary schools of the Snoqualmie Valley School District.

Students in the reading programs are encouraged to read age-appropriate books. Each school chooses two readers to receive a bike and safety helmet.

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.