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Literacy continues to take priority in Gilmer County: GLC hosts preliminary meeting for Ferst Foundation: A preliminary meeting for the formation of a chapter of the Ferst Foundation for Childhood Literacy in Gilmer County took place Friday, March 16, at the Gilmer Learning Center. Representatives from area organizations gathered to hear Judy Harvey’s presentation on the program, which supports the growth of youth literacy. Harvey said she was inspired some time ago by the reading programs offered at the Craddock Center and decided to look into a similar program which could serve children ages five and under in this county. She soon learned of the Ferst Foundation reading program, which began in Morgan County and is in place in 39 counties throughout the state. The Ferst Foundation programs, started by Robin Ferst, are based on the concept of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. Children under the age of five receive a book in the mail each month, which their parents read to them. The first book for each child is the classic “The Little Engine that Could.” “That’s the theme of this program,” says Harvey of the legendary title that has hooked so many little readers over the years. The books come to children in area Ferst Foundation chapter programs through a partnership of the Dolly Parton Imagination Library and Leap for Literacy. Harvey quoted literature from the Ferst Foundation indicating that participation from 30 percent of children under five years old in a county is plenty to start the program. The cost of providing books for a single child for one year is $35. Harvey’s estimated cost of providing for 30 percent of the children under five years of age in Gilmer County for one year was $18,952. A few members of the gathering mentioned allowing citizens to sponsor individual children as a way to raise money. Donations to the program are tax-deductible, according to Harvey, and money raised in a certain county goes directly to the Ferst Foundation chapter in that county. Gilmer Learning Center Director Beth Gentile presented the importance of introducing small children to books saying, “ ... the foundation of a literate community is the children ... If we can get children hooked on the love of reading, they will be successful in school.” “We all know the first five years ... how important those are,” added Gilmer County Library Manager Anita Summers. In order to establish a Ferst Foundation chapter in Gilmer County, explained Harvey, a CAT (Community Action Team) of 8 to 10 people had to be formed. Seven individuals, including Harvey, agreed to join the CAT, which Harvey will lead. Gentile volunteered the Gilmer Learning Center facility as a meeting place.
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