KEDM Staff and volunteers from the Miss Louisiana Organization delivered 1,700 books to students in thirteen area schools as part of the "Give the Joy of Learning" year-end fundraising campaign.
The campaign was designed to send new books home to each 1st and 2nd grader in the United Way of Northeast Louisiana’s Read. Learn. Succeed. schools to encourage literacy in the home.
“We saw an alarming statistic that 71% of Louisiana public school fourth graders were not reading at grade level,” said Lila Strode, KEDM Development Director. “We decided to spread our public radio listener’s love for learning into the community to make an impact.”
The project was part of KEDM’s overall fundraising campaign that raises funds for operating the station.
“KEDM listeners are lifelong learners,” said General Manager Jay Curtis. “We're so proud to partner with listeners -- as members of our community -- to share that passion to learn new things, and impact a child’s life with a gift of literacy.”
This week and next, KEDM staff and volunteers are delivering over 1,700 books to Berg Jones Elementary, Carver Elementary, Clara Hall Elementary, Minnie Ruffin Elementary, Jefferson Elementary, and Madison J. Foster Elementary in the Monroe City School system; Lenwil Elementary, Robinson Elementary, Shady Grove Elementary, and Swayze Elementary in Ouachita Parish Schools; Hillcrest Elementary and Lincoln Preparatory School in Lincoln Parish; and Union Parish Elementary in Union Parish.
Campaign Sponsors include Fiesta Nutrition Center, Friends of KEDM, Louisiana Plastic Industries, and Russell and Cynthia Woodard.
Learn more about the project here, and see photos from the on-air part of the campaign here!
