LEWISTON – This year marks the 20th anniversary of Geiger’s Adopt-A-School partnership with Montello Elementary School.

The landmark program, which is dedicated to raising aspirations and recognizing excellence among the student body of Montello Elementary School, was the first of its kind in the Lewiston/Auburn area.

Since its inception, many other local businesses have reached out to make a difference in the lives of children in area schools.

“When I first founded Adopt-A-School back in 1988, I never dreamed it would become as immense, or as successful, as it is today,” said Peter Geiger, executive vice president of Geiger and program coordinator for the Geiger/Montello Partnership.

“The aim of our partnership has always been to motivate and encourage students to achieve their personal best. Together, Geiger associates and Montello teachers, administrators and students work to create an environment that celebrates the best in education,” Geiger said.

The theme for this year’s partnership is “Writing is Timeless,” a nod to the partnership’s central focus on encouraging students to develop good writing skills. As in previous years, Geiger will close out the 2007-08 school year with the annual “Night of the Stars” gala.

The signature event of the partnership, “Night of the Stars” is an Oscar-style awards ceremony that recognizes dozens of talented young writers from among Montello Elementary School’s more than 900 kindergarten through sixth-grade students.

Geiger associates are involved with Montello students through a number of other key components of the partnership, including careers days, Junior Achievement classes, job shadowing, e-mail buddy correspondence, lunchtime visits, raffles and gift drives, among other activities.

This year the partnership will introduce two new outreach programs designed make a positive impact on students’ lives.

The first, Reading Buddies, will allow first-grade students to practice their literacy skills by reading stories to a supportive adult audience. Geiger is also recruiting associates to mentor selected third-grade students one-on-one for an hour each week.

Geiger associates also help Montello in less high-profile ways, such as collecting empty drink bottles in labeled receptacles throughout the Geiger offices and factory and donating Shaw’s reward points and General Mills education coupons.

“Everything we do in the Geiger/Montello Partnership is a testament to our motto,” said Geiger, “Education is everybody’s business.”

For more information on the program, contact Geiger at 755-2246 or [email protected].