Books for Kids

This is pretty cool. Lori Stokes just sent this notice over to share with you:

High school juniors Nelson Wynn and Otis Cooper-West with some of the children’s books they collected as their fall community service project

Peace Island Medical Center (PIMC) and the San Juan Island Library are pleased to announce Books for Kids, a program that gives every child who comes to the new medical clinic, hospital or emergency room, the opportunity to go home with a book that they have selected to keep.

Coordinators Lori Stokes and Pamela Gross modeled the program on the national literacy program, “Reach Out and Read,” whose mission is to prepare children to succeed in school by partnering with doctors to prescribe books and encourage families to read together.

Otis Cooper-West and Nelson Wynn, juniors at Friday Harbor High School, spearheaded the book collection component as their fall high school community service project. Their initial goal was to collect 250 books; and to their great surprise and delight, these heroes of book collection ended up with over 2000 gently used donated books! Their success was assured when they offered an ice cream party prize to the elementary or middle school class bringing in the most books.

Ellen Roberts, Judy Lingerfelt, Diana Mancel, Rich Norris, and Gail Roger sorted and prepared the books for distribution with support from the San Juan Island Library and guidance from Melina Lagios, Children’s Librarian. In the spirit of community, Pali Gill at the liquor store supplied the hundred or so boxes that it took to hold the big pile of books.

There will be a generous selection of books at the PIMC Clinic and Emergency Department waiting areas from which children may select the book they want to take home after their doctor visit.

Melina said, “The library is pleased to participate and support Books for Kids.” She referenced a quote from Reach Out and Read, “Books are more than just the story inside. They are a key to unlocking the potential in every child.”

Peace Health is pleased to partner with the Library in bringing this wonderful program to island children and their families.

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