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Community Corner

Red Wings' Justin Abdelkader teams with Michigan Education Savings Program to promote reading

LANSING – The clock is winding down on a contest in which the Detroit Red Wings, forward Justin Abdelkader and the Michigan Education Savings Program (MESP) teamed up to encourage Michigan elementary school students to read outside the classroom.

And one lucky group of schoolchildren will soon reach the ultimate goal: the grand prize of having Abdelkader read to their classroom.

MESP is sponsoring the Red Wings for Reading contest, which encourages all kindergarten through fifth-grade students attending a Michigan elementary school to enter by reading three books selected by Abdelkader, or by having a parent or teacher read the books to them.

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The contest continues through the end of January.

“The Michigan Education Savings Program appreciates Justin Abdelkader’s commitment to Michigan’s schoolchildren,” said Jennifer Howey, MESP senior marketing manager. “Like MESP, Justin knows that education is key to becoming a winner in life. A quality education should be every child’s goal, and we’re pleased to have the Red Wings and Justin Abdelkader on our team.”

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Abdelkader, who played collegiately at Michigan State University, has selected these books for kindergartners through second-graders to read: “Time to Sleep” by Denise Fleming, “Curious George” by Margaret Rey and H.A. Rey and “The Cat in the Hat” by Dr. Seuss.

The selections for third- through fifth-graders are “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” by L. Frank Baum, “The Boxcar Children” by Gertrude Chandler Warner and “Charlotte’s Web” by E.B. White.

Every student whose caregiver submits an entry form receives a fan pack that includes a personalized certificate of completion bearing Abdelkader’s signature, a bookmark and a sticker. In addition, from the submitted entries, one Abby’s All Star is chosen to receive two free tickets to each Red Wings home game. Each game’s All Star is recognized on the arena scoreboard during the first intermission. 

The school that submits the most entries by Feb. 1 will have an opportunity to have Abdelkader read to a classroom. If the class is within 30 minutes of Joe Louis Arena in downtown Detroit, Abdelkader will travel to the school. If the school is more than 30 minutes away, the class will be invited to take a field trip to the arena, where Abdelkader will read to them.

More information on the program, including contest entry forms, is available at www.DetroitRedWings.com/reading.

MESP is one of three Michigan Section 529 plans, all of which offer Michigan taxpayers a state income tax deduction on contributions and potential tax-free growth on any earnings if account proceeds are used to pay for qualified higher education expenses. MESP can be used at any eligible college, university or trade school in the nation for a variety of qualified expenses, including tuition, mandatory equipment, fees, certain room and board costs, supplies and books. Limitations apply. See the MESP Disclosure Booklet for details.

To learn more about MESP, visit MIsaves.com or contact us at 877-861-6377.

Consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses before investing in the Michigan Education Savings Program. Please visit www.misaves.com for a Disclosure Booklet containing this and other information. Read it carefully. Investments in the plan are neither insured nor guaranteed and there is the risk of investment loss.

Before investing in a 529 plan, you should consider whether the state you or your designated beneficiary reside in or have taxable income in has a 529 plan that offers favorable state income tax or other benefits that are only available if you invest in that state’s 529 plan.

The tax information contained herein is not intended to be used, and cannot be used, by any taxpayer for the purpose of avoiding tax penalties. Taxpayers should seek advice based on their own particular circumstances from an independent tax advisor. Non-qualified withdrawals are subject to federal and state taxes and the additional 10% federal penalty tax.  

TIAA-CREF Tuition Financing, Inc., MESP Program Manager 

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