Book Drive for the Family Literacy Program

It is estimated that low-income children may be read to as few as twenty-five times in the years before kindergarten entry, while the average child is read to over one thousand times. In order to meet this tremendous need for literacy education in a comprehensive way, the Family Literacy Pre-kindergarten Program offers state-subsidized half-day literacy learning sessions for thirty-two low-income San Mateo County 4-year-old's as they prepare to enter kindergarten.

To provide these preschoolers with wonderful, thoughtful books, they have prepared a list of books that every child should know. Thanks to the generosity of our members, the BMC collected three full boxes of new and gently used books at the holiday party in December for the Family Literacy Program. The program coordinator reported that that the children and families were simply delighted with the books. The lead teacher of the program went through the books and picked out a special one for each child, wrapped it, and gave it to them during the program's holiday party. The teachers were thrilled to be able to do so, and the kids were ecstatic to receive a new book!

Additionally, all the funds from our Talbot's Toys Shopping Nights'totaling $168 - will go towards the purchase of books for this initiative as well. A sincere thank you to all the members who made an effort to shop Talbot's during our fundraising window!

To learn more about how the Family Service Agency helps those in need in our community, you can visit their website at www.familyserviceagency.org.