Jumpstarting a child’s literacy

Imagine the sheer delight of a pre-K student, kindergartener or first- or second-grader — especially those from an economically disadvantaged home, one that may not have enough money for food, let alone funds for purchasing books or even the ability to visit a library — receiving and owning books of their own.

Thanks to the efforts of the all-volunteer, nonprofit organization Books For Collier Kids, the youngsters in 37 Collier County public and charter schools can cherish books that will benefit their education and hopefully build reading habits that will last throughout their lives.

Chair Sallie Williams, with the organization since 2007, said Books For Collier Kids is celebrating its 20th anniversary and reports that two million books have been distributed to Collier County kids since 2005.

“Our mission is simple and laser-focused,” she stated. “We provide new books to children in need; access to books is one of the most important factors affecting literacy.”

Placing books into little hands builds a profound sense of ownership and pride. The children’s names are inscribed within, and they can take them home and add to an eventual 40-book personal home library to share with their families and siblings, many of whom may be non-English speakers. The books also serve as a complement to the early reading skills taught in class, empowering these children in their literacy journey.

How Books For Collier Kids Started

In 2005, the organization began as First Book Collier County, a chapter of the then-national, now international organization based in Washington, D.C. Both pre-K and Title I elementary-aged children received the books. Over the years, additional schools were added as recipients.

“With a goal of providing books to 100 percent of all eligible Collier County public and charter schools, we now distribute to 37 schools,” Williams said.

“For a school to qualify as Title I, at least 75 percent of the children must come from economically disadvantaged families. Many schools in Collier County have an enrollment rate of 90 to 95 percent, particularly those located in the Immokalee and Golden Gate areas, as well as some from more affluent areas. There is tremendous poverty in all four corners of our community where families are struggling.”

The Books

Williams credits an aspect of the organization’s success to its buying power. Hardcover books are purchased from First Book Marketplace, as well as its adjunct, The Book Bank.

“Books that ordinarily sell for $10 to $20 retail at stores like Target or Walmart or Barnes & Noble or Amazon typically cost us less than $2,” she said.

Mary Plizzotto, who holds a doctorate in early childhood education and literacy, is responsible for selecting, ordering and overseeing the distribution of age- and curriculum-appropriate books to the county’s 37 elementary schools and various partners. Books include such classics as Brown Bear, Junie B. Jones, the Magic Treehouse series and Dr. Seuss books, and she reads every one, Williams said.

Distribution and Partners

Children receive a new book every month of the school year, inscribed with their name. Teachers are informed about the book of the month and can plan related activities. Books are sorted at the school warehouse and school trucks take them to the various elementary schools. Usually, the librarian or media specialist sorts them by grade, and volunteers add the book labels. Teachers then read the books in class, and they are taken home by children at the end of the week.

Partner organizations also receive books to distribute to the children they serve. They include the Boys & Girls Club, Guadalupe Center, Grace Place, Fun Time Early Childhood Academy and the YMCA of Marco Island and Naples.

“We also provide 15 new books to each of the approximately 100 families who move into new Habitat for Humanity homes; each home has a little shelf built to hold the books,” Williams said.

“We also support a summer program to fight ‘summer slide,’ where children receive two or three books through whatever program they attend, and we work closely with the Collier County Sheriff’s Department for their Hot Summer Nights community event, where we give out three books per child.”

Operating Costs and Funding

The organization, Williams said, has no staff and operates on a small budget of about $300,000, considering that last year it distributed 183,000 books.

“More than 90 cents of every dollar of our expenses goes to books,” she said. “There are no fundraisers or events; instead, support is from private philanthropy, individuals and grants. We send a fall and spring mail appeal to approximately 1,000 households of individuals who share our mission. A $500 donation will purchase 250 books, which equates to one book a month for every child in a classroom.”

By J.C. Amodea – News Press