Published Sunday, February 28, 2010
Coweta Ferst to resume mailing of books
The Newnan Times-Herald
In March, The Ferst Foundation for Childhood Literacy will celebrate its 10th anniversary of introducing books to children and helping prepare them for school.
In that time, the foundation has sent more than 1.7 million books to more than 90,000 Georgia pre-school children in 70 counties.
Locally, Coweta's Ferst Foundation has been providing new, age-appropriate books through the mail monthly to registered children from birth to age 5 since its inception in 2005. It's now serving 1,800 of Coweta's estimated 7,500 children, according to Janie Lore, a Ferst Foundation volunteer. They have graduated more than 1,200 students, which takes place once they reach the age of 5.
"Ideally, we would like to add to that number," said Lore.
Unfortunately, Ferst had to suspend its distribution of books in December because of a lack of funding. The organization's big fall fundraisers -- the Coweta County Fair and the Lewis Grizzard Memorial Bike Ride -- didn't bring in what organizers had hoped in 2009. Individual contributions continue to lag because of economic woes.
Lore said the foundation would like to focus on fundraising and resume book delivery in April.
One local businessman recently did his part to help raise funds for this worthy cause.
J. Randall "Randy" Carroll, the chief executive officer of Bank of Coweta, agreed to participate in the inaugural Love of Reading Battle for Childhood Literacy. The Ferst Foundation recruited top executives from across Georgia to participate in this friendly competition highlighting one of the easiest ways to improve a child's school preparedness -- reading to him or her daily.
Carroll said Thursday that he previously was involved with a children's charity that stresses healthy eating and exercise. Children's charities are near and dear to his heart because he has 7-year-old "grandtwins" -- as he calls them.
When the president of Georgia Tech recommended that Robin Ferst -- the Atlanta businesswoman and philanthropist who founded Ferst -- ask Carroll to participate in the event, he agreed, though he admittedly didn't know much about the foundation.
Carroll read two books to his grandchildren's first grade class at Simpson Elementary in Gwinnett on Jan. 27.
"It turned out to be a lot of fun," said Carroll. "I learned a lot about Ferst."
Six other CEOs were recorded reading to students. For one week -- Feb. 8-12 -- the public was invited to view their reading sessions online and vote for the best reader by making a small donation. The person who raised the most money for Ferst was declared the winner. Dr. Michael P. Becker, president of Georgia State University, is rumored to have taken that honor. The event raised more than $7,000 for the organization.
Carroll is pleased to have contributed to a great cause.
"This was a great experience," said Carroll. "The exposure to Ferst Foundation was extremely worthwhile. I've told a lot of people about it since that time."
Bank of Coweta President Anne Bell said literacy creates better-equipped employees, especially since the bank often hires high school students.
"Having well-educated team members is the key to success with any business," said Bell.
"Reading is the foundation of learning," said Carroll. "If they read early on, they're going to continue as they go -- it becomes ingrained."
"This is workforce development in its purest sense," Lore added.
Coweta's Ferst team of volunteers are beginning a grassroots effort to raise 2010 supporters in 2010. One $36 donation buys a child monthly books for one year. Some people may be able to sponsor more than one child. All monies raised are used solely for the benefit of the children in Coweta County. Ferst has no administrative costs for the program because everyone is a volunteer.
To donate online, visit cowetaferst.org, or mail a donation to: Coweta Ferst Foundation, P.O. Box 236, Newnan, GA 30264.
