A non-profit organization in Jefferson recently gave money to a project that supports early literacy.

The Jefferson Kiwanis Club donated $1,000 to the Ram Reader program at Greene County Elementary School. Greene County Instructional Reading Coach Maleena Gannon says the goal of this program is to give every child four books throughout the school year, which would be distributed before every extended break, including Thanksgiving, Winter, Spring and Summer. 

However, Gannon points out that due to a decrease in overall funding, they were only able to give two books to each child in the elementary school, one before winter break and the other before summer break. She stresses the importance of having this program is to give students access to books and that is essential in their development of strong reading skills and a lifelong love of literature. 

Gannon adds that their initiative not only encourages reading at home but also ensures students have the opportunity to own and cherish a book. To make a financial contribution, all donations can be made to the Ram Reader program and dropped off at the elementary school.