Kids who can't read
will never know the joy of learning. That's the
driving force behind the "Born to Read"
program, a project of the Honor Society of Phi
Kappa Phi at Southeast Missouri State University.
Initiated in 2001, the program gives each baby
born at Southeast Missouri Hospital a new Golden
Book. That's a commitment of nearly 1,400 books
each year.
"We're just trying to do our part to increase
literacy in our region," said Tammy Baldwin,
Ph.D., president of the honor society.
The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary
Education estimates that 20-40 percent of young
readers in this portion of the state are at risk
of becoming illiterate adults.
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Labor and Delivery Nurse Ginger Anderson,
BSN, RNC, accepts books from Honor Society members
Jewell Eggley and Tamara Baldwin |
All babies born at Southeast receive
a book thanks to the Honor Society of Phi Kappa
Phi.
Each book includes a congratulatory note from
the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi that stresses
the importance of reading to babies.
The honor society has several hundred members
who stand behind the project. Those who helped
Baldwin on the "Born to Read" organizing
committee included Jewell Eggley, Julie Grueneberg,
and Jeanine Dobbins.
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