RAMC Foundation raises money for literacy program
Equipment that was no longer being used at Reedsburg Area Medical Center was recently sold to raise money for a reading project.
The RAMC Foundation announced that Doug Mittelstaedt and RAMC employees raised $888 from the sale of such items as fish tanks, an elliptical and various silent auction prizes. The funds will be used to purchase books for the Reach Out and Read program.
Under the program, books will be distributed to children during well-child visits. The books will be chosen by Kris Houtler, assistant director at the Reedsburg Public Library, and given out at children’s checkups by medical providers.
During well-child visits, medical personnel talk with parents and caregivers about the importance of reading to young children. Parents are shown how to best hold books to interact with their child and get them interested in the text and images.
At each regular checkup from 6 months through 5 years, children will receive a new book to take home.
Kids will also have access to books before their appointment, as the waiting room is stocked with gently used texts.
According to RAMC, children who are read to in their preschool years are three to six months ahead in their literacy development compared to kids who aren’t involved in Reach Out and Read.
For more information about the RAMC Foundation and its efforts, call Carol at 608-524-9088, email clankey@ramchealth.org or visit www.ramchealth.com/ramc-family/ramc-foundation.
