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LOCAL BOOK PROGRAM HUGE QUARTERLY SUCCESS
Kiwanis Club of Seminole Breakfast and Lighthouse Credit Foundation announce over 1,000 books distributed to needy deserving youth.
Seminole/Largo, Fla.- (April 1, 2004)- President John Sanguinett of The Kiwanis Club of Seminole Breakfast reported first quarter results of their "Reading is Fundamental" pre-school book program. The program involved eighteen (18) Kiwanis Members and Lighthouse employees visiting 5 Head Start, other federally funded, non-profit or private pre-schools in South Pinellas County conducting story-time and presenting 389 personalized books to children ages 2-5 years old.
Many of these children will own the only book in their household. The program was developed to create a love of reading and books among area pre-school aged children.
Madeline James, Reading Coordinator for Lighthouse Credit Foundation, a local non-profit credit counseling organization dedicated to increase education and personal responsibility, also stated her organization while assisting the local Kiwanis Club in their reading program also distributed 641 additional books to local older youth (ages 6-18) programs.
The two programs provided over 1,000 books, 252 man-hours, covering 291 miles to needy and deserving local area youth.
The Kiwanis Club of Seminole Breakfast began distributing books to local pre-schools under the guidance of Kiwanis member Mack Graves over 5 years ago. In April 2003, Lighthouse joined forces with the Kiwanis Club and added story-time and printed names in the books presented.
The organizations hit a snag last fall with a shortage of donated books. They announced their dilemma on Local Fox Channel 13 before and after Christmas. The results were books came flying in from private and corporate donations, such as Simon & Schuster Publishers, Holland & Knight Law Firm, FACS Group, Inc., Seashell Books.com and Wilson's Books to name a few.
Ms. James collects and stores the donated books at a site near her office at 8550 Ulmerton Road in Largo. The Kiwanis members help identify, locate, and schedule story-times at local pre-schools. Approximately one week prior to the scheduled story time a Kiwanis Member will deliver pre selected books to the school with directions for the teachers to determine which book would interest each child and to place their individual name on the inside cover on a sticker provided. Then two times a month, or more, Lighthouse and Kiwanis readers, with their reading books under arms, visit the individual schools, conduct a 15-20 minute story time and present an individual book to their new owner. The excitement and delight ensue immediately.
"Our goal is to double last year's numbers by reading to over 2,000 local deserving pre-school children and present each one with their very on book by year end. With next quarter's schedule already filling up with over 700 more books and 20 readers being identified for involvement it looks like we will make our goal." Said President John.
"The Kiwanis Club of Seminole Breakfast also just successfully completed our 23rd Annual Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast on March 20th at the City of Seminole Recreation Center during the POW WOW Festival, feeding almost 400 hungry participants in 3 hours." John stated. "The support shown our club by local businesses and residents has been superb and greatly appreciated. However, we are always looking for active men and women who want to make a difference in their community." John continued. "Even though the reading program is this club's main emphasis we also get involved and support things like the Kiwanis District's 'Horses for the Handicap' program, the Kiwanis Club of Seminole's (evening club) 'Every Child a Swimmer' program , Miss Seminole Scholarship Pageant, Seminole Stampede, the Pinellas County's Christmas Light Pageant at Seminole Park, purchasing pedometers for a special Pinellas County School project and cook lunches for the Special Olympics participants to name just a few." John concluded.
For more information of the various book programs anyone can contact the local "Dial 211" or call Madeline James directly at 727-450-2922. Inquiries concerning the local 20-25 member Kiwanis Club of Seminole Breakfast which meets every Tuesday Morning at 7:15 at Sher's Restaurant can be directed to Club Secretary Lee Walters at 727-595-8343. The organizations always welcome more books and active members.
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Lighthouse Credit Foundation is not a loan company
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