Jonesboro, Ga. (November 17, 2016) – The Heritage Community Foundation presented a grant to Patti Brown, President, Ferst Foundation for Childhood Literacy – Henry County; Debbie Watkins, Community Action Team, Grants/Corporate Donations, Ferst Foundation for Childhood Literacy – Henry County; and Carolyn Fuller – Henry County Library System Superintendent on October 19, 2016. The $3,800 grant will be used to send books to preschool children, aged newborn to five, who are registered in The Ferst Foundation for Childhood Literacy (“FFCL”) program. Age-appropriate books are mailed to the children’s homes monthly, after being carefully selected by early childhood educators, development specialists, librarians and FFCL staff. It costs $36 per child per year to send 12 books to one child, along with a parent engagement newsletter. The Heritage Community Foundation grant will allow 105 new children to be enrolled in the program.
The mission of FFCL is to improve childhood literacy in Henry County by providing free books to preschool children. FFCL contributes to creating a language-rich environment in the home that is the basis for early learning success. The most crucial years in a child’s development occur within the first 3 years, and FFCL’s vision is to give every child the best chance to succeed in school, in life, and to give Georgia an educated, productive and competitive work force. In Henry County, FFCL is currently sending books to 1,544 preschool children out of a potential enrollment of 12,879. Since inception of the Henry County program in October of 2005, a total of 121,208 books have been mailed. The FFCL program is free to participating families, regardless of income, race, religion or gender – because any child that cannot read is at risk. FFCL believes that low-income families need this help most. For this reason, they target WIC, early Head Start, and other disadvantaged populations for program enrollment.
For more information on how to apply for a grant with Heritage Community Foundation, make a donation or volunteer, please visit www.heritagecommunityfoundation.org. You may also contact Jenny Smith, Chairperson, at 770-478-8881.
Heritage Community Foundation (HCF) is a 501c3 organization which provides funding to local nonprofit organizations in Clayton, Henry and Fayette counties. HCF is designed to support Heritage Bank’s first mission, “Committed to those we serve.” The bank absorbs all of the operating costs of the foundation, so 100% of the funds raised go directly to meet community needs.
Heritage Bank, a state chartered commercial bank, has been serving metro Atlanta’s Southern Crescent since 1955. The independent community bank has six full-service offices, features a well-rounded offering of commercial and consumer products, and is an active, involved member of the community it serves. The company’s stock is traded under the symbol “CCFH”.
Pictured: Patti Brown (President, FFCL- Henry County), Sheri Dockweiler (HCF), Luann Daniels (HCF), Debbie Watkins (Community Action Team, Grants/Corporate Donations, FFCL – Henry County), Carolyn Fuller (Henry County Library System Superintendent), Jenny Smith (HCF)
