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2nd
Annual Fronhofer Tool Triathlon at Lake Lauderdale |
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About Us: Books Offer Opportunities, Kids Succeed (B.O.O.K.S.) CORP. and Books in Kids Hands are two not-for-profit children's literacy organizations serving Warren, Washington, and Saratoga counties. B.O.O.K.S. Offering free books to children and their families. History B.O.O.K.S. was started in January of 2006 by Bridget Crossman a former school teacher and currently a stay-at-home mom of two girls. Bridget began this project with the desire to increase the amount of exposure that children have with literature before they attend school. In addition, she wanted to educate the public on the importance of reading to children. Bridget's inspiration for this program came from a similar literacy organization, “The Family Reading Partnership” that is nationally recognized for its programs. Mission Our mission is to provide children in Washington, Warren, and Saratoga counties, especially those from low-income families, with quality children’s literature in order to promote as many literary experiences as possible before children attend kindergarten, while also promoting family reading and literacy to children of all ages, and helping to make reading a part of their everyday lives. LITERACY PROJECTS Bright Red Bookshelf The first “Bright Red Bookshelf “began in March of 2006. It is by far the most successful project to date. In order for this project to operate a company or individual person donates a bookshelf. The bookshelf is then painted “bright red” and put in a place where children, especially those of low-income families will have access to them. Gently used children’s books are collected for these bookshelves in red collection crates around the community. People drop their books in these crates and they are collected weekly. The books are then cleaned, affixed with a label and placed on the bookshelves for children and their families to take and keep. These books are completely free for children! Currently, there are four bookshelves in operation, one at “Moreau Family Health Center” in South Glens Falls, another at “Cambridge Family Health Center”, and two at the Glens Falls Hospital. Along with supplying books for the bookshelves, B.O.O.K.S. donates a large supply of books to “Head Start”. Book collection crates are set up at various locations. There are four places to drop off books in South Glens Falls: “St. Michael’s Church”, “Ace Hardware”, “United Methodist Day Nursery School”, and “Moreau Family Health”. There is also a red collection crate at “Price Chopper” in Queensbury, and at “The Lowe Family Practice”, in Glens Falls. If you would like to make a donation, please feel free to drop books off at any of the listed sites, call B.O.O.K.S. at 761-4067 or e-mail Bridget Crossman, crossm85@hotmail.com, and an arrangement can be made for collecting the books. Books at Birth “Books at Birth” is a project that is designed to encourage parents to read to their children from their first day of life. It is never too early to start reading to children and typically parents aren’t aware of the benefits of reading to their children at an early age. Therefore, we hope “Books at Birth” will encourage parents to read to their newborn by providing them with a brand new children’s book when they deliver a baby at “The Glens Falls Hospital”. Thanks to Finch Paper, B.O.O.K.S. was able to purchase 1,500 new children’s books called, Soft to Touch ABC. Each baby born at the Glens Falls Hospital in 2007 will receive one of these wonderful books. Christmas with W.I.C. (Women, Infant, Children) At Christmas a new book is purchased for every child whose family is serviced through Warren & Washington County WIC. These books are completely funded by Hannaford Supermarkets and we thank them for their overwhelming support. The books for the program are individually wrapped by the volunteers of B.O.O.K.S. and then distributed to the mothers of WIC at their monthly workshops prior to Christmas. The mothers then take home their books and place them under the Christmas tree for their children to enjoy on Christmas morning.
This year over 1,000 books were given away and next year we will
double the amount with the addition of Washington County WIC to
the program. 1,000 Book Program In September of 2007, we will be launching our newest program, called, The "1,000 Book Program". This project will service children from 0-5 years who live within the South Glens Falls School District. This program involves 100 canvas bags each filled with 10 different books, with a total of 1,000 children’s books in all. These bags of books will be held in the Moreau Elementary School Library. Children that are 5 years of age and under will be able to come to the school library and borrow a bag of books to read with their families. When have finished the bag they will bring it back to exchange for another bag. The goal of the program is to have children and their families read all 100 bags of books, for a total of 1,000 books in all, before they attend kindergarten. This project is being established with the help of the Moreau
Home School Association. If you would like to donate a new book
for this program, please contact, Bridget Crossman, at 761-4067.
If a large donation is made towards this program by an individual
or business they will receive recognition for their contribution. How to Become Involved with B.O.O.K.S. B.O.O.K.S. is always looking for new ideas, volunteers to help with projects and different means of getting the word out into the community that reading is important and should be a part of every child’s life. If you or someone you know would like to become involved with the organization, please contact Bridget Crossman at (518) 761-4067. Requests Books in Kids Hands Sharing the joy of books and reading with About Us Books in Kids’ Hands is a not-for-profit organization
dedicated to promoting literacy and to providing children with books.
We are located in Salem, NY and provide book programs for Salem
and the surrounding communities. We work in conjunction with B.O.O.K.S.
(Books Offer Mission Our mission is too advance literacy by distributing books and related materials to ensure that every child in our communities has the opportunity to have books of their own, to promote family reading and literacy, and to help make reading a part of their everyday life. What We Do Through our programs, we provide children of all
ages with free Books for Kids Bookshelves with gently used children’s books are set up at community locations. Children can choose books from these shelves to keep at home. These books are free to all children and families. Currently, these bookshelves are located at the Salem Family Health Center and at the Shoppe on Broadway. Community Reading Area for Kids A bright and friendly reading area for kids is set up in the Shoppe on Broadway. “Books for Kids” bookshelves are set up in this area to encourage children to pick up books and read. Great Beginnings This program is in place at the Salem Family Health Center. Children from birth to age five receive a new book at their yearly well-child visit. Presents for W.I.C. (Women, Infants, and Children) During the holiday season, we will provide a new, wrapped children’s book for each child who participates in the WIC program in Washington and Warren counties. Happy Holidays Book Bags Bags filled with new and gently-used books are given to area children in conjunction with the Salem Santa Program. Welcome to Kindergarten Books Each child entering Salem’s kindergarten receives a new book about going to school. These are given at kindergarten screening. Book Exchanges Various book exchanges take place throughout the year at community events. Children can exchange a gently-used book or choose a book to keep. School’s Cool Pre-School Book Program This program will provide young children with opportunities for early reading experiences. There will be a large number of bags with ten books in each bag. These bags will be located in the Salem Central School Library. Children and their families can take one bag home to read. When they finish, they can return the bag and check-out a new bag. This is a new program and we hope to have it up and running by June 2007. Donation Information New or used books for children can be dropped off at the Historic Salem Courthouse or given to Lori Stokem or Karen Fronhofer. Contact Information If you would like to make a donation, volunteer, or if your family would like books, we can be contacted using the information below: Lori Stokem Karen Fronhofer
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