Southwestern Oregon Community College and Local Rotary Clubs to Host 'Gift of Literacy' Program for South Coast First-Graders

Southwestern Oregon Community College is collaborating with Rotary Clubs and school districts from North Bend, Coos Bay, Reedsport, Bandon, Coquille, Myrtle Point, and Powers to host the 'Gift of Literacy' Program on April 30, 2024. The program aims to promote reading among over 600 first-grade students from the South Coast. Funding comes from a Rotary District Grant, with additional support from local clubs.

The program, inspired by the Springfield Gift of Literacy, will conclude with a celebration at the college. First-graders will be bussed to the college for an assembly where they will receive a bag containing two new books and other items. The books, chosen by Coos County librarians and educators, were distributed to each first-grade classroom in November.

At the event, teachers or guest readers will read the books aloud. Each student will also receive two books to take home, emphasizing the value of reading. The students will be encouraged to develop reading habits through the provision of a library card.

The program also seeks to familiarize first-graders with a college campus. Southwestern President and local Rotarian Dr. Patty M. Scott, who helped plan the event, expressed satisfaction in supporting local first-grade students' literacy.

The Rotary Clubs, ESD, and the College thanked Yellow Cab, First Community Credit Union, McDonald’s, and Northwest Community Credit Union for their support of the Gift of Literacy Program. The media is invited to cover the event, which will take place in two sessions at the Recreation Center on the college campus.

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