Cariboo Chilcotin Partners for Literacy welcomes the Williams Lake and District Credit Union as its new sponsor of the Books for Babies program both in Williams Lake and 100 Mile.
The Kiwanis Club started the program of giving books to newborns in 2001 and were sponsors continuously until last year.
Their first babies are now 14 years old and in Grade 8!
CCPL, babies, parents and the whole community thank Kiwanis for their commitment to literacy. Books for Babies is a keystone in the work that CCPL does and to have the Williams Lake and District Credit Union now sponsor this program means that young families and their newborns will continue to get a good head-start.
The new green Credit Union bags contain four books and a number of brochures about reading and community services. There is another book from the Credit Union waiting at the public library when the baby is brought in to get a library card. Books, bags and promotion will now all be funded by the Williams Lake and District Credit Union. Lil Mack, co-ordinator of the program says, “We know that parents are baby’s first teachers and instilling the love of reading in our children can only benefit all of us. In today’s world, being able to read well is essential….starting early is critical.”
Here’s a selection of comments the CCPL has received about the program.
“We love all the books we’ve received—our older son is especially excited to help read to his baby brother from the baby’s own special new books.”
“Not every family can afford to purchase books for themselves.”
“This is our second child who has received your products. Thanks again for an enjoyable service.”
“Baby really does settle down well when she is read to. The illustrations in the rowing book especially captivate her.”
More than 500 bags are now being distributed every year by the maternity nurses at Interior Health both in Williams Lake and 100 Mile.
“The former involvement of the Welcome Wagon in the distribution of the bags both in the community and in the hospital must also be acknowledged and we thank them,” says Mack.
People who would like to donate books or time to the CCPL’s programs or for more information call Janette at 250-392-8161.
For more information about the Books for Babies program in particular, you can call Lil at 392-6867.
A big thank you to the Credit Union and Kiwanis Club for having the community at heart.