Literacy for
The Early Learning Coalition of Manatee County, Inc (ELC)
was delighted to complete our seventh annual ‘Literacy
for the Holidays’ campaign that saw almost 7,600 books
distributed to Manatee County children during the month of
December 2018.
This important initiative was designed to promote literacy and
to raise awareness to parents and families of how crucial it is to
interact and read with children from an early age.
The books were distributed to 131 pre-schools and Elementary
schools that offer School Readiness and VPK (Voluntary Pre-
Kindergarten) programs through the ELC.
Sharon Oakes, ELC Chief Operations Officer, said: “For the
seventh successive year our Literacy for the Holidays program
proved to be a huge success.
“We are already planning to make the December 2019 holiday
season book giveaway an even bigger event as we continue to
highlight the importance of literacy and reading with children from
an early age.”
Ana Rodriguez, ELC Early Literacy Coordinator, added: “By giving
our young readers the opportunity for early literacy we are raising
strong future leaders.”