Books for Collier Kids was awarded a $5,000 grant from the Marco Island Fund of the Collier Community Foundation to provide new books for students at Tommie Barfield Elementary School, Marco Island.

“We’re grateful to the Marco Island Fund of the Collier Community Foundation for ensuring all kindergarten through 2nd grade students at Tommie Barfield Elementary have access to books in the home,” said BCK Chair Sallie Williams. “Books that they can read, share, cherish; books that help them succeed in school and life.”

Research shows that 35% of Tommie Barfield’s k-2 students are economically challenged, which puts them at higher risk for academic failure, delinquency, teenage pregnancy, substance abuse, unemployment, low productivity and welfare dependency.

“Books inspire a child’s ability to understand how words play together and they ignite the spark for imagination. Both are critical to success,” said Allyson Richards, chair of the Marco Island Fund of the Collier Community Foundation.

(Florida Weekly Giving Section May 11, 2023)