Come join us at the Aces Ferst Casino Night:  Taking a Chance for Kids at Lake House Seafood and Steak Co. on Sept. 26.  This event promises an exciting evening for all while also helping to support childhood literacy in Greene and Putnam counties. Make plans to take part in this fun-filled evening.

Local teachers have been especially supportive of efforts by the local Ferst Community Action Team to ensure that we have the funds to keep this program in our community.  Recently, Mrs. Lisa Reaves McElhannon, veteran kindergarten and prekindergarten teacher at Putnam County Primary School, was asked to share her thoughts about the importance of what Ferst Foundation is trying to do for the children in of Putnam County.  Here’s what Mrs. McElhannon had to say on the subject.

“A great education begins early in life with parents and other special adults reading to young children.  This connection between adults, children, and good books is so valuable in nurturing a love of reading and learning.  I have such fond memories of being read to by my parents, my grandmother, my great-aunt, and my favorite teachers.  My mama, Mrs. Sue Reaves, was the greatest mother and teacher I ever knew.  She read many books to me.  I loved our stories from my Children’s Bible, 365 Bedtime Stories, and Mama’s little linen fairy tale books bought for her by her father during World War II.  I learned about believing in myself from another book Mama read to me called The Country Bunny and the Little Gold Shoes.  I have now read that story to each of my classes in all the 28 years that I have been a teacher.  When I grew up, Mama and I still shared our love of books, and could talk for hours about some of our favorites, like the works of Pat Conroy, Eugenia Price, and Jan Karon.

“My favorite books from my grandmother’s house in Cochran, were about pets.  I remember Woofus, the Wooley Dog, and Miss Sniff, the Fuzzy Cat.  These two books are in my home today, precious pieces of my childhood.  I learned to read listening to these stories and with Mama patiently helping me master Go, Dog, Go! and Robert the Rose Horse.  After bedtime stories with Mama, my brother, Scott, and I would pile up in one of my twin beds, and I would read stacks of books to him before we both fell asleep.  Scott learned to read before he was five from our cozy bedtime ritual.

“When I started school, I was blessed with so many gracious, wonderful teachers who furthered my interest in books and my love of reading.  In my third grade year, I was fortunate enough to be in Mrs. Monteen Dickey’s class at Eatonton Grammar School.  Mrs. Dickey read chapter books to us every day after lunch.  I remember sitting enthralled listening to her sweet voice reading from The Boxcar Children, 1001 Nights, The Magical Land of Noom, Charlotte’s Web, and Stuart Little.  It was excruciating when she closed the book, and I had to wait until the next day to hear more.  Years later when I was Star Student for Putnam County High School, I chose Mrs. Dickey for my Star Teacher.  From Mrs. Marianne Griffith’s home kindergarten to Mrs. Lorraine Davis’ high school Shakespeare class, my teachers read to me and with me.  They helped me understand how important and enjoyable it is to be a good reader.  

“When my son Kyle came along, of course, I couldn’t wait to share books with him.  We read every book we could find about tractors.  Later, his interest was in the Titanic, and we became experts on the subject!  My husband, Tommy, says I always have my nose stuck in a book.  I guess I do.  Books have always been such a big part of my life, and certain titles are tied to such sweet memories of the dear people and places that populate my past.  The Ferst Foundation puts great books in the homes of our children.  My wish is that every one of those children would have someone special to pull them close and read those good books to them every single day .”

The Ferst Foundation for Childhood Literacy is a 501 © 3 non-profit organization established in 1999 to provide books for local communities to prepare Georgia preschool-age children for reading and learning success.  The Ferst Foundation provides an age-appropriate book each month in the mail, free of charge for all registered children from birth to age five, regardless of the family’s income level.  Each month, Putnam Ferst distributes over 800 books at a cost of almost $2,500, and the Greene Ferst distributes over 700 books at a cost of over $2,100. You may receive more information or register a child to receive books online at www.ferstfoundation.org.