Verde Valley First Books was recently awarded grants by the Arizona Community Foundation of Sedona and Arizona Community Foundation of Yavapai County.
“Our organization has distributed over 4,000 books to 4-year-olds in need in the Verde Valley during the last school year,” Administrator Peg Schlichtemeier said. “Awards from the Arizona Community
Foundation, the Rotary Club of Sedona Village and the Eye Boutique will give us the opportunity to extend our program to more children this school year.”
Volunteer readers go to classrooms at preschools, daycare and Head Start centers in Sedona, Cottonwood, Camp Verde, Rimrock, Cornville and the Yavapa i -Apache Nation.
They read a book, talk about the story, and encourage reading at home.
Each child receives his own copy of the book to take home. Contact verdevalleyfirstbooks@gmail. com for more information or to volunteer.
Established in 1978, the Arizona Community Foundation is a statewide philanthropic entity supported by thousands of Arizonans.
Last year, ACF and its affiliates awarded more than $55 million in grants and scholarships, funding projects of some 7,000 nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, faith-based organizations, and students.
The Rotary Club of Sedona Village awarded $12,000 in grants to local needy causes during their first year. Visit sedona villagerotary.org for more information.
