Original article posted in The Toldeo Blade - 10/27/2015
In response to your Oct. 2 article “Stories shared in Spanish; Volunteers read as part of Books 4 Buddies”: Research has shown that good literacy skills are linked with higher self-esteem, better health, better jobs, and higher wages.
Unfortunately, two thirds of America’s children who live in poverty have no books at home. That leaves them at significant risk of falling behind their peers in literacy and overall academic achievement.
In Ohio, a campaign is under way to ensure that all children have access to the reading materials they need to achieve. Books 4 Buddies is a local nonprofit organization that collects and distributes new and gently used books for disadvantaged children and young adults. Founded in 2012, it has donated more than 30,000 books in northwest Ohio and beyond.
Providing access to reading material is crucial to addressing the educational disparities we encounter in our state. I applaud the good work done by Books 4 Buddies and other charitable organizations.
I encourage this community to make a commitment to improving child literacy rates, whether that means parents taking their kids to the library, young adults tutoring children after school, or community members donating books to or becoming engaged with organizations such as Books 4 Buddies.
Books 4 Buddies will hold a fund-raiser from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. today at Rachel Michael’s Gourmet Popcorn, 5307 Monroe St. Thirty percent of proceeds from today’s popcorn sales will go to Books 4 Buddies.
Together, we can ensure our next generation has the literacy tools it will need to succeed in the classroom and in life.
MICHAEL SHEEHY
Ohio House of Representatives
46th District
Oregon