This week kicks of the Burlingame Community for Education Foundation’s (BCE) annual read-a-thon, which is in its third year.

“This event [is] in line with our mission of educating kids,” said Nicole Johnson of the foundation.

Although the event runs from Jan. 18 through Jan. 24, the read-a-thon officially got started on Jan. 10 at the Burlingame Public Library. Student were able to pick out books to read, as well as participate in the Paws for Tales program, during which children read to dogs from the SPCA.

Johnson said students collect donations from friends and family based on how much they read. All the money goes directly to the BCE, which supports educational programs at Burlingame schools such as smaller class sizes and quality instruction.

The read-a-thon organizers said rather than a monetary goal, they are aiming for a high participation rate.

“We’re really hoping for 100 percent,” Johnson said. “We’d love to get everyone reading.”

Currently, BCE is at 50 percent of its fundraising goal for the 2010-2011 school year.

BCE reaches out to Burlingame families seeking volunteers and donation.