Volunteer :: Early Learning Coalition of Putnam & St. Johns Counties

December 8, 2011

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Clifford the Big Red Dog and volunteer Murrell Weissinger delivered books to 20 children at Little Tots Child Care Center in St. Augustine, Dec. 6, 2011.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – PUTNAM AND ST. JOHNS COUNTIES, Fla., Dec. 8, 2011 – More than 600 local 3-year-olds received an early Christmas gift from Clifford the Big Red Dog and his friends at the Early Learning Coalition of Putnam and St. Johns Counties.

The ELC has just wrapped up its first ever book bag project specifically for 3-year-olds. Twenty six childcare centers, across Putnam and St. Johns County, were visited by Clifford the Big Red Dog and volunteers from the ELC. These centers were given book bags filled with a dozen books along with informative handouts for parents on the importance of reading.

“These three-year-olds and their families will have a dozen books to begin reading during a time when families are together,” said ELC Coordinator Joan Whitson. “We hope the family will help these young children make reading an important part of their lives.”

This project was a community effort with monetary and book donations from: St. Augustine Kiwanis Club, Sunrise Rotary in St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra Rotary, Sunrise Rotary in Palatka and Hastings Rotary Club. Additionally, a fundraising event, featuring Comedian Danny Johnson, was held at Jackie Knights Comedy Club in St. Augustine that raised $2,200 toward the project.

“Reading to children at an early age is crucial to their having the skills to be ready for school,” said ELC Fundraising Committee Chair Maxine McChesney. “This is going to be a yearly program for the ELC.”

Ongoing donations to the ELC are greatly appreciated. It costs $25 for one bag of books. Visit elcpsj.org to donate or to find out more about the services of the Early Learning Coalition. Become a fan of the ELC on facebook at facbook.com/elcpsj.

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Contact: Joan Whitson, Early Literacy Coordinator, jwhitson@elcpsj.org, 904-819-3544

Reading pal volunteer Sara Tavender of St. Augustine enjoys reading to VPK students Kaileigh, Jonah and Camiron at Family Partners Child Care Center in St. Augustine. www.elcpsj.org

Contact: Joan Whitson – Early Literacy Coordinator
Early Learning Coalition of Putnam & St. Johns Counties
P: 904.819.3544 | Email: jwhitson@elcpsj.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Successful Reading Pals Program Looking for Volunteers

January 17, 2011, SAINT AUGUSTINE, Fla. – The Early Learning Coalition of Putnam & St. Johns Counties’ (ELC) volunteer Reading Pals Program begins in Putnam County next month. ELC and Episcopal Family Services are working together to launch the program in pre-school childcare centers in Putnam County. ELC is seeking volunteers to read to children once a week.

“We launched this successful program in St. Johns County last September, and we are so grateful for our volunteers,” said Joan Whitston, ELC’s Early Literacy Coordinator. “School staff has told me the children look forward to greeting the readers and go right to them when they arrive. Studies show that the best opportunity to influence our children’s lifetime learning is before kindergarten when their most rapid period of brain growth occurs. Reading one on one to children sets the groundwork for their future ability to read and learn.”

Through the volunteer Reading Pals Program many students are now receiving the personal attention they need. Those wanting to volunteer must attend a required training session on Wednesday, February 2nd at 1:00 p.m. at the ELC office in Palatka located at 440 N SR 19, Suite 440 across from JC Penney at the Palatka Mall. To register or for more information to become a Reading Pal, please contact Joan Whitston at 904.819.3544 or jwhitson@elcpsj.org.

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