By Lesley McCullough McCallister
Read Aloud West Virginia was recently selected by the Coughlan Companies Communities Fund in partnership with GreaterGood.org (GGO) to receive a National Book grant valued at nearly $200,000 that includes 30,000 books that will directly benefit West Virginia children and families.
This generous donation to Read Aloud is part of larger 250,000-book distribution campaign throughout the country to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Capstone, Coughlan’s children’s media publishing company, which creates content in a variety of print and digital formats for school libraries, classrooms and at-home learning. Read Aloud was chosen specifically by Coughlan and GGO, a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to improving the well-being of people, pets and the planet.
“At Coughlan, we are passionate about improving the lives of all children through our partnerships, innovative outreach programs, and in-kind book donations,” said Christie Skilbred, Coughlan Companies corporate giving representative. “We are thrilled to partner with GreaterGood.org to provide children in West Virginia with the tools they need for success.”
Read Aloud West Virginia Executive Director Mary Kay Bond noted that these books will be distributed later this fall to students in Read Aloud schools. Those who were hit hardest by the floods that ravaged West Virginia at the end of June will be given first priority.
“At Read Aloud, we know that access to books is a critical piece of the literary puzzle,” said Bond. “The books provided by generous organizations like Coughlan and GGO will help us to instill a love of reading in children living in literacy-poor regions.”
For additional information about Coughlan Companies and GGO, please visit www.coughlancompanies.com and www.GreaterGood.org.
Lesley McCallister is a Read Aloud supporter, volunteer and newsletter contributor and a freelance journalist.