Originally posted on December 18 on St.Augustine.com

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, with 26 childcare centers, across Putnam and St. Johns 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 at facbook.com/elcpsj.

The Early Learning Coalition is holding a Reading Pal Training and Information meeting on Monday, Jan. 23^rd at 9 a.m. at the St. Augustine Record building.  The ELC is looking for dedicated volunteers who like to work with children who can commit to going into a local child care center once a week for an hour to read to children.  To register for the class, RSVP to Joan Whitson at 904-819-3544 orjwhitson@elcpsj.org.

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

When it’s time for dinner, your preschooler will be excited to share his or her artwork in the form of decorative placemats. Making Thanksgiving placemats is a great way for your child to express creativity. Dinner guests love these homemade placemats, and they can even do double duty as party favors.

Things You’ll Need
·         Large pieces of construction paper in fall colors

·         Clear contact paper

·         Non-toxic craft glue, markers, scissors, crayons, and glitter

·         Cut-out Thanksgiving shapes or stickers

What to Do
1.    Give your preschooler a large piece of construction paper and lay out the art supplies within easy reach. Have your child choose which guest will receive this placemat, and talk together about why you feel thankful for that person.

2.    Now that your child has some great inspiration, help him or her decorate the construction paper to make a personalized placemat for each guest. Write a special message from your child on a corner of the placemat. Don’t forget to date the artwork.

3.    When the glue is dry, you can laminate the placemat to keep it clean. Simply place it face down on a piece of clear contact paper. Place another piece of contact paper over the back, and then trim the edges to make them even.

If you make this, please share your creations at www.facebook.com/elcpsj

COMEDY NIGHT TO BENEFIT EARLY LITERACY PROGRAMS

October 19, 2011

Early Learning Coalition

Contact:  Joan Whitson

jwhitson@elcpsj.org.  904-819-3544

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Comedian Danny Johnson to perform at Jackie Knight’s Comedy Club, Sunday, Nov. 6, 2011 in St. Augustine, Fla. Proceeds from the Comedy Night will Benefit the Early Coalition of Putnam and St. Johns Counties’ Book Bag Program (www.elcpsj.org).

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla., Oct. 19, 2011 – Comedian Danny Johnson knows the importance of reading.  While much of his comedic writing comes from experience, “lots of my jokes come from local and world news and events,” said Johnson. “I read all the time and I can’t imagine how difficult my job would be if I could not read.”

That’s just one reason Johnson, semi-finalist on Comedy Central’s “Laugh Riots”, has signed on to be a part of the Early Learning Coalition of Putnam and St. Johns Counties’ Comedy Night,  Sunday, November 6 at Jackie Night’s Comedy Club. Proceeds of the comedy night will benefit the Coalition’s literacy programs. The event is open to the public.

Tickets are $20 and may be purchased through www.elcpsj.org. Reservations can also be made by calling 904-461-8842.

The Coalition has a goal of filling bags with books for 500 three year olds in the area with the proceeds.

“We are very near our goal for the book bag project,” said Maxine McChesney, ELC Advocate Fundraising Chair. “Sponsorship opportunities are available and will help us reach that goal faster. Sponsors can purchase a table for four or may donate a prize for the silent auction.”

Contact Maxine McChesney at maxine@mcchesneylawfirm.com to become a sponsor or call 904-819-3544 for more information.

Johnson also recently won the Carnival Cruise Line Comedy Challenge. He’s been compared to Jackie Gleason, Jerry Seinfeld and Kevin James. Read about him and his clean comedy at www.dannyjohnson.com.

WHERE: Jackie Knight’s Comedy Club, inside Johnny’s, 3009 N Ponce De Leon Blvd., St. Augustine.

WHEN: Sunday, Nov. 6, 2011; 6 p.m. – silent auction and cocktail hour. 7 p.m. – show.

WHAT: A Clean Comedy night benefitting the Early Learning Coalition of Putnam and St. Johns Counties.

COST: $20. Pre-pay online at www.elcpsj.org or call 904-461-8842. First come, first serve cash only tickets available at the door. Reservations required. 18 and up.

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https://childrensmovementflorida.org/promo/elc/

The Children’s Movement of Florida is kicking off  “Dream Prizes”, a  statewide promotion. This is a great opportunity to win some amazing prizes (listed below), while raising money to support The Movement’s 2012 legislative agenda and action plan (details to be announced the end of October).

We need your help.

We have 8 major prizes. A ticket is $25 – you choose the prize (or prizes) you’d like a chance to win and will also automatically become of Member of The Children’s Movement of Florida.

•       A 7-night Royal Caribbean International getaway for two.
•       Two American Airlines round-trip business class tickets to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
•       A three-year new-car lease on a Honda Civic from Brickell Motors.
•       Publix groceries: A year’s worth ($6,000).
•       Florida Marlins 2012 tickets, signed memorabilia and a dugout experience.
•       Miami Dolphins club-level tickets, field passes and entrance to LIV Sun Life Stadium.
•       Romero Britto “Children Of The World” limited-edition serigraph.
•       Family adventure: River Ventures manatee encounter and ZooMiami.

Click the link to learn more and to put some money on winning prizes to support the Children’s Movement of Florida!

The major objective of the citizen-led, non-partisan Children’s Movement of Florida is to inform the political, business and civic leaders, and the parents and people of this state, about this issue – and encourage them to make the well-being and education of our children our highest priority, including in the way we invest our public resources.

This year on Oct 6, 2011 more than two million voices will call attention to the crisis in early education by creating the largest reading experience in history.

Each year a different book is chosen for this event. This year volunteer readers will share the book “Llama Llama Red Pajama” with children at 30 different centers in the area. Pledge to read to a child yourself by visiting: readfortherecord.com. The book is available on-line to read for free!

You can also help the ELC by being a special reader that day in a local child care center. The ELC is need of 30 volunteer readers.  The books will be supplied.  If interested in being a volunteer reader for this unique event please contact Jo

Bring in a new pre-school children’s book to the St. Augustine Outlet Mall to

Guest Services, Peaches ‘N Cream or  Evie’s Cottage now till  Sept. 24 and get a free VIP Coupon book worth thousa

nds in extra Mall savings. Save 25% off at Peaches ‘N Cream and Evie’s Cottage with each book donation! Up to three donations will be honored.

On Saturday, Sept. 24 come into the food court inside the Mall at 1:00 p.m. for an event full of fun with Sparky the Clown, magic, juggling, balloon animals, crafts and visits by Winnie the Pooh and Clifford.