Students at Greene County Elementary School each received a free book to take home last week in a Ram Readers book distribution.
Michele Hardin initiated the program many years ago as part of her job as a Title I reading teacher. At that time, federal funds were available in the Reading is Fundamental, RIF, program, and there were three distributions a year.
When federal funding ended for the program, Hardin and the elementary staff sought community support to keep the program going.
Local support has been generous enough to allow for four book distributions each year. Hardin is now retired, but she continues with the Ram Reader project as a volunteer.
Donations range from $10 to $500. Names of donors are listed on a sticker on the inside cover of the book. “We have been extremely fortunate to have a community that appreciates the importance of reading and getting books into the kids’ homes,” Hardin said. “I wish everyone could come see the distribution days and the excitement of the kids getting a new book to keep at home. The number one question is ‘How many do we get?'”
