FamilyCare’s Children’s Medicine Center Receives Donation of Books

FamilyCare’s Children’s Medicine Center, located in Charleston, was the recipient of a very generous donation from Read Aloud West Virginia, which consisted of 500 books worth $3,500. Children’s Medicine Center (CMC) is a community health center operated by FamilyCare Health Centers, in addition to being a teaching facility for WVU residents in collaboration with CAMC physicians.

The WVU residents and FamilyCare associates take a personal interest in seeing that patients are having regular and consistent time to read or are being read to through an initiative called Reach Out and Read. Residents take the time to speak with parents of pediatric patients and provide books that are best suited for their child’s age and developmental level.

“The goal is very simple, providing books to all patients and creating a fun habit of reading,” said Dr. Kimberly Cross, the overseeing physician of WVU residents at CMC. “Our Reach Out and Read program encourages a literacy rich environment for our patients and we always enjoy seeing the excitement on their faces when they’re handed a new book.”

The books came to Read Aloud West Virginia through a competitive grant from First Book. The grant rewards and helps organizations working with others to put good books in the hands of children. The Reach Out and Read program at CMC can continue to be a success all thanks to Read Aloud West Virginia donating a variety of books for ages 6 months to 5 years.

“Our mission is to motivate children to read for fun because children who read for pleasure get better grades, better test scores, and go further in school,” says Dawn Miller, executive director of Read Aloud West Virginia. “These outcomes are linked to lifelong results, including better health outcomes and lifetime earnings.” Every child that visits Children’s Medicine Center for a well visit will get a new book while supplies last.