Rotary’s gift turns the page on early literacy for local families

The Rotary Club of Coffs Harbour has shown its ongoing support for early literacy by raising a phenomenal $6,000 to purchase books for families attending the Mid North Coast Local Health District (MNCLHD) Child and Family Health Service.

Nurses from the service will gift the children’s books to visiting youngsters and their carers, with the aim of encouraging early reading skills and building literacy.

Rotary Club of Coffs Harbour Youth Services Director Tony Jorm said basic education and early literacy is one of Rotary International’s key areas of focus.

“We are proud to support this cause, with the hope that the donated books will foster parent-child bonding while introducing early literacy,” Mr Jorm said.

“It’s important to us that local families have an opportunity to not only bond with their children over books but learn from a young age the sounds, words and language that go with developing early literacy skills.

“We’d also like to thank The Book Warehouse Coffs Harbour who provided the storybooks at a special price to support this great cause and help benefit local children.”

MNCLHD Acting Service Manager Child, Adolescent and Family Services Lee Brogmus thanked the Rotary Club of Coffs Harbour for their continuing support.

“Early literacy lays the foundation for a child’s overall development, helping them building strong social connections, express themselves and understand emotions from a young age,” she said.

Every family that receives a free book will have a little heartfelt reminder of Rotary’s generosity acknowledging the donation with a special sticker on the inside cover.