AUGUSTA – Read With ME, the literacy program begun by Mary Herman, swings into action next week with a packing blitz at the Augusta Armory on Monday, Aug. 13.

Read With ME provides a book bag filled with literacy information and two books to kindergarten students in Maine when school opens in September. This year’s books include “One Morning in Maine” and “Read to Your Bunny.” Last year Read With ME reached 15,000 students across Maine, helping to make reading a family activity. This year Herman hopes to deliver book bags to more than 16,000 students.

Volunteers will help pack the book bags with the literacy material. Purchase of the materials and books is made possible through a grant from the Verizon Foundation.

First Lady Mary Herman and Gov. Angus King will take part in the packing activities at 10 a.m. on Aug. 13 at the armory on Western Avenue in Augusta.