Bretton Cole
Editor-in-chief
Crowder’s adult education and literacy program (AEL) is partnering with local organizations and education institutions to promote literacy for community children through a week-long initiative in February.
Crowder AEL is hosting a book drive to help get books in the hands of young children at ages where learning to read is critical. Students and community member can participate in the book drive by finding children’s books for ages 0-7 and dropping them off at the nearest AEL or English as a Second Language (ESL) classroom.
The initiative, called the Love of Literacy, is a campaign centered around Valentine’s Day that began last year where it had overwhelming success.
Juli Denisco, director of AEL at Crowder, said the goal last year was to get 50 books for local kids. They received 433 books without any extra promotion, shattering expectations. This year, she says, they don’t have a set goal.
Denisco believes that literacy starts at a young age in the home. Equipping children with books that will help them become literate is imperative to their educational success. The Love of Literacy book drive aims to accomplish that.
After last year’s success, Crowder AEL has partnered with several local organizations: Head Start, Early Head Start, Crowder Advanced Training and Technology Center, Joplin AEL, Joplin Chamber of Commerce, Crowder College McDonald Campus and Noel Housing Authority. Most of these, among others, double as drop-off locations for the book drive itself.
“Literacy makes for stronger communities,” Denisco said, emphasizing the importance of the campaign, “I’m hoping everyone who can will donate books.”
Denisco explained that Crowder students can certainly be of help in the campaign. Students can volunteer to read to kids during the events, help distribute books and donate books.
During the week of Valentine’s Day, four family events will be open to the public where children can receive books and sit in reading sessions, one of which will be led by Crowder president Dr. Glen Coltharp on the Neosho campus.
For more information, visit the Crowder AEL Facebook page for details on the time and location of events.
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