South Bend Tribune - Donnelly Pitches Reach Out and Read Program

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South Bend Tribune - Donnelly Pitches Reach Out and Read Program

Preschoolers get books when they have health checkups.

By SUE LOWE

MISHAWAKA -- John Slaughter's two daughters have both received books when they have checkups with doctors at the Healthy Family Center.

"We read to them," Slaughter said of 4-year-old Corrin and 2-year-old Caitlin. "Sometimes they read to us. They make the story up from the pictures."

Corrin and Caitlin were among the children U.S. Rep. Joe Donnelly read to on Wednesday.

Donnelly was at the center to highlight the Reach Out and Read program that provides books for children from 6 months to 5 years old.

When children get their pediatric checkups every six months, they get a book.The medical facility's employees tell parents about the importance of reading to children.

Bonnie Bejma, director of the Healthy Family Center, said volunteers also read to the children.

She said the program has given out more than 200 books since it was started in April.

Donnelly said that in addition to the books, children are "getting the basic building blocks to be good citizens."

"The sooner we can get them reading, the better," he added.The center also collects "gently used" books to give to the brothers and sisters of the younger children getting free books.

Anybody with books to donate can call the center at (574) 252-3699 or drop them off there at the southwest corner of Lincoln Way West and Mill Street from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. Friday.

The Healthy Family Center is operated by Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center.

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