Donley County 4-H members were able to donate books for local school libraries recently thanks to a program by the state 4-H organization.
Texas 4-H Youth Development, the youth outreach component of the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, joined with the California-based Molina Foundation to support youth literacy throughout Texas.
“The Molina Foundation’s mission is to reduce disparities in access to education and health opportunities,” said Dr. Toby Lepley, assistant state 4-H leader. “One of the most successful programs of the foundation is the book grant program to youth and families who may not have the resources to purchase reading books on their own.”
Lepley said through a partnership with the foundation, AgriLife Extension has received a grant for more than 31,000 children’s books. Donley County 4-H received books through the program and split the books between the Hedley ISD and Clarendon ISD libraries.
“The books are available now through the Texas A&M AgriLife Bookstore and are offered and shipped free to agency offices throughout the state,” he said. “There are a variety of authors and titles targeting preschool to early teenage readers.”
Lepley said the books have been organized into units, with each unit containing 100 or more books. About 300 units have been prepared for shipment with delivery to ordering counties already underway.
“AgriLife Extension offices in smaller counties have been allowed to order one unit with an option to order more units if any remain,” Lepley said. “Urban counties are being allowed to order up to six units and military installations with 4-H clubs can order up to seven.”
He said National 4-H has worked with the Molina Foundation in the past, and they are familiar with the 4-H program and distribution network.
“Both organizations are interested in youth development through literacy, and this partnership will allow more books to get into the hands of young people for reading, especially those young people whose families cannot afford to buy them.”
Lepley said book distribution will be accomplished through such activities as AgriLife Extension parenting programs, school reading programs, after-school programs, preschool and church programs, and to family doctor or pediatrician offices, military bases and youth centers.
“We will also use the books for the Fathers Reading Every Day, or FRED, programs and to support One Day 4-H projects statewide,” Lepley said. “We’ll also look for additional opportunities for distribution.”
FRED is an award-winning family literacy program encouraging greater parental involvement in children’s early literacy development, especially from fathers. One Day 4-H is an annual day of community service by 4-H members and clubs throughout the U.S. as a “thank you” to their communities for supporting the 4-H program.
To find out more about Texas 4-H, go to http://texas4-h.tamu.edu.
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