Imagine a life without reading: How would you spell your name, fill out a job application, read street and traffic signs? These are just the everyday things we take for granted if we were taught at an early age to read. For those of us who love to read, we realize it opens up many additional opportunities from world travels, imagination, self help and just the overall joy of learning new things.
Up until 2026 our project focused on pre-k through 3rd grade, and we were purchasing gently used books in bulk. However, with the high costs of books, and through engagement with teachers and librarians, we are changing our focus to pre-k and 1st grade. As children become curious about the world, it’s often been said, that they need to see themselves reflected in what they read and what they watch. Therefore, our focus for the 2026-2027 school year will be to provide 3 new early reader books to all first graders in Georgetown county schools. We will also have two Reading Challenges during the school year, and installing our long awaited Story Walk at Stables Park. More can be found by visiting those pages.
Our hope is to encourage them to continue reading and instill in them a joy for reading – because the possibilities are endless.
Statistically, before third grade, children are taught the mechanics of reading. From fourth grade onward, they must use reading to understand complex, content-driven subjects. If they cannot read proficiently, they fall behind in every subject.
88% of struggling readers in third grade fail to catch up later
students reading below grade level in 3rd grade are four times less likely to graduate by age 19
struggling readers often face lower self-esteem, reduced confidence and higher rates of disengagement
low literacy is strongly associated with adulthood poverty
70% of U.S. prison inmates are functionally illiterate
Since 2017, we have distributed nearly 40,000 books. In 2021 we started providing a personalized pillow with a pocket to all pre-schoolers. The pocket can be used to hold a book, and children are encouraged to sleep with it, and place a book in it to be read to at bedtime. As we visit the schools each year, many children remember us from receiving their pillow, and it becomes a cherished item.
As we move forward, we need your help to continue this project. If you would like to give a child the gift of reading and opportunity for a brighter future, consider donating to our literacy project
The Literacy Project – Our Signature Project
Imagine a life without reading: How would you spell your name, fill out a job application, read street and traffic signs? These are just the everyday things we take for granted if we were taught at an early age to read. For those of us who love to read, we realize it opens up many additional opportunities from world travels, imagination, self help and just the overall joy of learning new things.
Up until 2026 our project focused on pre-k through 3rd grade, and we were purchasing gently used books in bulk. However, with the high costs of books, and through engagement with teachers and librarians, we are changing our focus to pre-k and 1st grade. As children become curious about the world, it’s often been said, that they need to see themselves reflected in what they read and what they watch. Therefore, our focus for the 2026-2027 school year will be to provide 3 new early reader books to all first graders in Georgetown county schools. We will also have two Reading Challenges during the school year, and installing our long awaited Story Walk at Stables Park. More can be found by visiting those pages.
Our hope is to encourage them to continue reading and instill in them a joy for reading – because the possibilities are endless.
Statistically, before third grade, children are taught the mechanics of reading. From fourth grade onward, they must use reading to understand complex, content-driven subjects. If they cannot read proficiently, they fall behind in every subject.
Since 2017, we have distributed nearly 40,000 books. In 2021 we started providing a personalized pillow with a pocket to all pre-schoolers. The pocket can be used to hold a book, and children are encouraged to sleep with it, and place a book in it to be read to at bedtime. As we visit the schools each year, many children remember us from receiving their pillow, and it becomes a cherished item.
As we move forward, we need your help to continue this project. If you would like to give a child the gift of reading and opportunity for a brighter future, consider donating to our literacy project