On July 12, the Manheim Township Lions Club delivered in excess of 300 books to the Lancaster County Reach Out and Read Coalition. These books were collected by club members in partnership with the members of the Manheim Township Leo Club. Additionally, a check in the amount of $200 was presented by Lions Club Immediate Past President, Jerry Beyer to Sandi Mauer, Lancaster County Reach Out and Read Coordinator.
Left to Right - Linda Gort, Medical Director, SouthEast Lancaster Health Services, Sandi Mauer, Lancaster County Reach Out and Read Coordinator and Immediate Past President Jerry Beyer
This event was part of the Lions Clubs International Reading Action program. A global campaign that took place from July 2012 to June 2013 that focuses on implementing reading and education projects to help increase literacy rates worldwide. Recently, the Reading Action program has been extended long-term to help reach those who are still in need.
Reach Out and Read is an evidence-based national nonprofit organization that promotes early literacy and school readiness in pediatric exam rooms nationwide by giving new books to children and advice to parents about the importance of reading aloud. Reach Out and Read builds on the unique relationship between parents and medical providers to develop critical early reading skills in children, beginning at six months of age. Families served by Reach Out and Read read together more often, and their children enter kindergarten with larger vocabularies, stronger language skills and a six month developmental edge.
In Lancaster County the program is running at many medical clinics including: South East Lancaster Health Service, three locations, Welsh Mountain Medical and Dental, three locations, Center City Family Health and Lancaster General Family Medicine, multiple locations.