More than half of low-income families don’t have a single book in their home suitable for a child, but Ferst Readers of McIntosh County is changing that statistic for homes in their community.
This program mails age-appropriate books to children from birth – age 5 each month, along with tips for parents on using the books as teaching tools.
“When a family is struggling to pay rent and buy food, buying books is not a priority,” said Jean Wilsterman, McIntosh Community Action Team Leader. “By mailing the books to the child’s home, we provide much-needed tools for the parent to be their child’s first teacher and prepare them for a life of learning. Reading is a necessary skill for lifelong success.”
And now, thanks to a $2,500 grant from Southeastern Bank Community Foundation, Ferst Readers of McIntosh County will be able to serve even more children in the community.
“We will now be able to sign up more children in McIntosh County,” said Wilsterman. “It costs $42 per year to mail the books to the registered children. The Ferst Readers organization requires we have 6 months’ funding on our account to register new children. At the time we received the grant, we had 284 children on our rolls. We immediately put the 19 + children on the waitlist on our roles, and we are now signing up additional children. The grant money will fund an additional 59 children for one year!”
As Wilsterman explains, early literacy can help determine later success, which is why it’s important to provide books to this specific age group.
“Learning begins at birth,” said Wilsterman. “A baby needs to hear words and see colors and shapes in these early formative months and years. A child’s brain is 85% developed by age 3. It is important they hear and see sounds, words, shapes and colors. Reading to a child also teaches them to sit, be still and give attention to learning. Holding a book and learning how to open and turn pages is a skill needed for classroom learning. This prepares the child for learning the rest of their lives. The single most significant factor influencing a child’s early educational success is an early introduction to books and being read to at home prior to beginning school.”
“Promoting childhood literacy is one of our Foundation’s key priorities,” said Jay Torbert, President and CEO of Southeastern Bank. “We appreciate the work Ferst Readers of McIntosh County is doing to help develop the next generation – one book at a time.”
About Southeastern Bank Community Foundation, Inc.
A 501(c)(3) organization, Southeastern Bank Community Foundation supports local nonprofits making a difference in the communities served by Southeastern Bank. Employees of the Bank serve on the Foundation Board on a rotational basis and determine how funds are dispersed in its local communities. The Foundation is currently funded with donations from the Bank.
Applications for future grant award cycles are available on the Bank’s website at southeasternbank.com or any Southeastern Bank office.
About Southeastern Bank
Established in 1888, Southeastern Bank has a long history of serving its customers and communities through its 11 locations in coastal Georgia and northeast Florida. The Bank is headquartered in Darien, Georgia. Visit southeasternbank.com to learn more.
About Us: Southeastern Bank, established in 1888, has a long history of serving its customers and communities. From traditional deposit and loan services to long-term mortgage originations and credit cards, Southeastern Bank has the financial products you need most. The Bank has 10 branch locations throughout coastal Georgia and northeast Florida, including Brunswick, Callahan, Darien, Eulonia, Folkston, Hilliard, Kingsland, Nahunta, Richmond Hill and St. Simons Island, and a loan production office in Hinesville.
