CONTACT:
Joan Whitson, Early Literacy Coordinator
904-342-2267
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PHOTO CAPTION: ELC volunteer reader Peggy Hunter, dressed in a Mother Goose costume, reads a jungle story to children at Castle Brook Academy in St. Augustine.
Story-Time Programs Hit the Road
PALATKA, Fla., April 19, 2013 – During the months of February through June, child care providers in Putnam and St. Johns Counties are able to sign up to receive a free literacy program from the Early Learning Coalition (ELC).
Joan Whitson, Early Literacy Coordinator of ELC, and a team of volunteers have created four themed programs with activities including music, story time, puppets, crafts and games. Children receive a free book relating to the theme and teachers receive a bagful of books and resources in order to duplicate the programs themselves.
“Volunteers are the key to making these programs work,” said Whitson. “At least three or four volunteers are needed for each program. Twenty-three programs have been scheduled, which creates the need for a lot of volunteer time. Many of our volunteers are retired teachers, who love the change to still stay engaged with children.”
Along with these special programs, many of these same volunteers are weekly-reading pals in local child centers in Putnam and St. Johns Counties.
To volunteer, please contact Joan Whitson at jwhitson@elcpsj.org or 904-342-2267. To learn more about early literacy, visit www.elcpsj.org.
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