Rotary supports children’s literacy

The Rotary Club of Jefferson recently provided books to Greene County children in a pair of projects.

Club members were at Toddler Fest April 22 in Jefferson, where they read “campfire stories” to children and gave books to every child. Sixty-nine children ages 2-5 selected a new book from a wide variety of favorite children’s titles.

The Rotary Club of Jefferson has participated almost every year since it was first held 16 years ago. The books are purchased from Scholastic Books through the local school, with funding from the club’s annual charity auction.

Rotarian Susan Laehn reads at the campfire as children roast marshmallows. A table full of books from which children could select a book to take home is in the background.

The next week Rotarians delivered a share of the children’s books collected at the Rotary District 6000 Conference in Carroll to the Greene County Christian Action Resource Center.

Books donated by Rotarians from across District 6000 were taken by Jefferson Rotarians to the ARC. Pictured are (from left) Rotarians Mike Mumma, Tori Riley, Susan Laehn and daughter, ARC volunteer director Shirley Haupert, and Rotarian Adam Pedersen.

Volunteers at the food pantry will include a book or two with the food going to families with young children. Food pantry volunteer director Shirley Haupert was very pleased to have the books and noted that each month an estimated 50 families with young children use the pantry.

Related News