Fredericksburg Parent

www.FredericksburgParent.NET 25 FXBG Dads is a group that's focused on dads being active in their kids' lives and building a community together. Matthew Jones with FXBG Dads says his plans are to print and sell shirts for the group, donating the proceeds to the DPIL. A design hasn't been finalized, but the shirts will include the FXBG Dads name on them. Each shirt will cost $25 to $30. They cost $10 to make, leaving a healthy amount to donate to the DPIL. "Young childhood literacy is an important part of youth education," says Jones. "Having kids grow up with plenty of books to read is a great boost to their development. The Imagination Library's donation of books to the kids in the Fredericksburg area directly sup- ports that development for area kids. My three-year-old daughter gets books from the Imagination Library." Sara Branner, a member of the Fredericksburg Area Imagination Library Board and a mem- ber of the Fredericksburg Education Foundation Board (FEFB), was an educator for nearly 40 years and values the early-care experiences that are critical to success in school and later in life. She says about 90% of a child's brain growth occurs before age five, and pro- viding high-quality, age-appropriate books to children promotes strong literacy skills and inspires a love of learning. "Supporting the DPIL is a powerful way to make a lasting impact on the lives of children and families in the Fredericksburg region," says Branner. "The local DPIL board hopes to continue develop- ing partnerships with area businesses and service clubs that will not only provide financial support, but also be 'readers across Fredericksburg.'" Mary Washington Healthcare Senior Vice President & Chief Development Officer Xavier R. Richardson, who serves on the Fredericksburg Education Foundation, says one of the social determinants of health, which collectively account for 80 percent of one's positive health outcomes, is literacy. "Studies have shown that limited literacy is a barrier to accessing important health information, proper medication use, and utilization of preventive services," says Richardson." "We certainly hope our community will support the DPIL in its effort to promote greater literacy and enhanced reading among young, school-aged children in our region." To give the gift of learning and improve a child's life in the community, it's as easy as sponsoring one child a year for $25. The community is encouraged to help serve the existing families and continue to grow this essential and popular program. Visit Dolly Parton's Imagination Library (fredericksburgparent.net to donate. To send a check, mail to Fredericksburg Parent Gives, P.O. Box 7884, Fredericksburg, Va., 22404. Other community partners are stepping forward. The Mary Ball Woman's Club, FXBG Dads, and the Fredericksburg Education Foundation have also all recently voted to fundraise for the endeavor. Mary Ball Woman's Club (MBWC) is dedicated to community improvement through conser- vation, education, fine arts, home life, and public affairs. Its mission is to enhance the lives of others in the Fredericksburg community through volunteer service and fundraising and to serve each other through social and cultural activities. "With its long history of promoting literacy in the Fredericksburg region, the MBWC is eager to partner with DPIL," says Susan Ingebretsen with MBWC. The Club is establishing contact with local post offices and collecting undeliverable books periodically in the hopes that every book finds its way to a child who will read and reread it, paving the way to a love of literature and lifelong literacy. FXBG Dads is a group that's focused on dads being active in their kids' lives and building a community together. Matthew Jones with FXBG Dads says his plans are to print and sell shirts for the group, donating the proceeds to the DPIL. A design hasn't been finalized, but the shirts will include the FXBG Dads name on them. Each shirt will cost $25 to $30. They cost $10 to make, leaving a healthy amount to donate to the DPIL. "Young childhood literacy is an important part of youth education," says Jones. "Having kids grow up with plenty of books to read is a great boost to their development. The Imagination Library's donation of books to the kids in the Fredericksburg area directly sup- ports that development for area kids. My three-year-old daughter gets books from the Imagination Library." Sara Branner, a member of the Fredericksburg Area Imagination Library Board and a mem- ber of the Fredericksburg Education Foundation Board (FEFB), was an educator for nearly 40 years and values the early-care experiences that are critical to success in school and later in life. She says about 90% of a child's brain growth occurs before age five, and pro- viding high-quality, age-appropriate books to children promotes strong literacy skills and inspires a love of learning. "Supporting the DPIL is a powerful way to make a lasting impact on the lives of children and families in the Fredericksburg region," says Branner. "The local DPIL board hopes to continue develop- ing partnerships with area businesses and service clubs that will not only provide financial support, but also be 'readers across Fredericksburg.'" Mary Washington Healthcare Senior Vice President & Chief Development Officer Xavier R. Richardson, who serves on the Fredericksburg Education Foundation, says one of the social "Studies have shown that limited literacy is a bar- rier to accessing important health information, proper medication use and utilization of preventive services." The program is generously funded by [among others] the Northern Neck Electric Cooperative (NNEC)...

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