Last Friday, Heather K. and I had the pleasure of attending a very special book distribution at the Lynn Community Health Center in Lynn, Massachusetts. Working together, the Health Center’s Reach Out and Read program and the First Book-Lynn Advisory Board gave forty preschoolers from Lynn Head Start their first new books.

In addition to receiving their books and having a fun snack, the children listened to stories read by local corporate supporters of First Book-Lynn. It was quite a treat for all of us to see these men and women in suits get down on the floor and read with these 3 and 4 year olds.

The Reach Out and Read program at the Lynn Community Health Center promotes early childhood literacy through pediatric primary care. New books and advice about the importance of reading aloud are incorporated into pediatric visits for children 6 months to five years old.

“We are proud to work with First Book to make sure that kids who come to the health center receive every advantage when it comes to being ready for school,” said Lori Berry, Executive Director, Lynn Community Health Center. “We recognize that a pediatrician can take care of a child on many levels, and our providers love being able to promote literacy as a part of overall health.”

First Book-Lynn has granted over 4,500 books to the program over the past two years.

“I can’t say thank you enough to Lori Berry, Debbie Smith Walsh and Cindy Steger-Wilson. Book distribution events, like the one hosted by the Lynn Community Health Center, makes all the hard work worth the effort, ” said Bill Bochnak, Co-chair of First Book-Lynn.

We couldn’t agree more! Getting to see first hand the local Advisory Board’s work in action is extremely rewarding and energizing. We thank everyone involved for such a great morning. It was certainly not a bad way to start the day.