As a member of the Coaching for Literacy Coaches’ Council, Florida State Associate Head Coach Stan Jones is always quick to answer the call to host a #Fight4Literacy Game. Because of his and FSU’s commitment to education, CFL has been able to conduct a #Fight4Literacy Game presented by International Paper since the campaign started during the 2017-2018 season.
These campaigns have allowed CFL to grant more than $4,000 to the ELC of the Big Bend Region. This year, International Paper is helping to create more opportunity for students in Tallahassee and throughout the panhandle by matching all donations from fans and local businesses. Keep reading to learn how ELC of the Big Bend used grant money from last season’s campaign. Inspired and want to get involved? Click here to learn more.
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With the COVID-19 pandemic in full force and children being cared for in early childhood settings, the Early Learning Coalition, which helps provide childcare and resources for pre-Kindergarten children in the Big Bend Region of North Florida, is happy to spread the appreciation around.
“Not only have we had to navigate a pandemic these last 6 months, but the world around us has also become more volatile,” said former Community Relations Manager, Morgan Evers. “It is one thing for adults to experience turmoil and uncertainty, but young children pay attention and are exposed every day to adverse situations that can have major effects on their view of the world. Our ELC leadership wanted to make sure our early-childhood classrooms had the tools they needed to have the discussions that are difficult, but so necessary right now.”
Enter Coaching for Literacy, which provided a much-needed grant. It helped immeasurably.
“With the Coaching for Literacy partnership, our My First Books program was able to get creative and pour good back into classrooms in the form of drawstring backpacks full of ‘mini libraries’ all over the Big Bend region,” Evers said.
“With this drive-through supply event for early childhood providers and by utilizing social media, we were able to raise awareness around the importance of early childhood literacy, as well as provide a mini library of books teachers can use to both infuse literacy, as well as teach the children to acknowledge and celebrate their differences in a kind and caring way.”
If you live in the Big Bend Region and would like to volunteer, partner, or donate new/gently used children’s books to ELC’s My First Books program, email outreach@elcbigbend.org. The group accepts book donations and monetary support via Venmo @ELCBigBend year-round.
