Georgia’s 2020 Teacher of the Year, Tracey Nance, spoke on the importance of reading at the recent Ferst Readers of Henry County spring luncheon.

“The gift of a book is a seed that will grow, and grow and grow,” Nance said, noting that reading helped her cope with a difficult childhood. “Reading gave me exposure to new places and possibilities. I hung out with Matilda. I hung out with the Baby-Sitters Club.”

Nance also highlighted the support of teachers who encouraged her along the way. Visiting her own sister’s classroom at Ola Elementary School helped Nance realize that she also wanted to be a teacher at the elementary level.

The local Ferst chapter hosted about 240 guests at the Merle Manders Conference Center, where those attending heard an update on the organization’s mission of providing books to local preschoolers.

Doris Griffin, chair of the Henry County Community Action Team, noted that about 1,750 Henry County children under 5 years old are currently receiving an age-appropriate book in the mail each month. The cost per child is $42 a year–however, there is no cost to the recipients. The goal is to have children ready to learn upon starting kindergarten.

She expressed appreciation to all the sponsors and volunteers who helped make the luncheon possible, including presenting sponsor The First Bank and silver sponsors United Community Bank, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Edward Jones Investments and Griffin Insurance.

Griffin noted that the books are chosen by a team of child development specialists, including Kathy Pillatzki, director of the Henry County Library System. The arrival of a book in the mail at home is designed to encourage parents to make time to read to their child.

Judy Neal, president of the McDonough Women’s Club, invited those attending to go above and beyond by joining the “Henry Hundred,” donors who make an annual gift of at least $100 to Ferst Readers. “If you get your checkbook out today, you will help children you will never know,” she said, recalling how she met a local child who wanted to read but struggled to do so.

The audience also heard a poetry recitation of “The Race” from Dabrielle Lominy, a fifth grader at Woodland Elementary School and Griffin RESA first place recitation winner, who received a standing ovation.
If you would like to make a donation to Ferst Readers of Henry County, visit www.ferstreaders henry.org or mail a check to 1001 Florence McGarity Blvd., McDonough, GA 30252.