Rotary Club of Fort Myers South, Friends of the Fort Myers Library aid literacy
Many children lose reading skills when they’re away from school over the summer. That’s why the Rotary Club of Fort Myers South has teamed with the Friends of Lee County Libraries to give to the Lee County Library System’s Summer Reading Program. Representatives from Rotary and the Friends presented a $5,145.30 check to the library system during a luncheon on Monday, April 30.
“Promoting youth literacy is at the core of our Rotary Club mission,” says Steve Wassman, in charge of organizing the donation for the Rotary Club of Fort Myers South. “Our goal is to get books into the hands of any person age 2 to 18 in Lee County who wants one.”
The library system gives out a free book to every child who expresses interest in the program, while supplies last. In 2017, 10,000 children took part in the program, but the library only had 8,500 books to give. Rotary and the Friends are committed to making sure that shortfall doesn’t happen again.
Rotary collected money for the program from fundraising events throughout the year, including the Law and Order Ball and the club’s annual All-Star Classic football game. The Friends put together a book fair at Barnes & Noble and applied for a grant to help fund their contribution.
The library’s program, which runs May 29 through Aug. 11, is designed to foster literacy skills and develop a love of reading. A series of interactive, kid-focused events are planned, like reptile shows, science demonstrations and cooking classes. All are geared toward sparking creativity and an interest in reading to learn more.
About Rotary Club of Fort Myers South
Rotary Club of Fort Myers South has more than 140 members who are among the 1.3 million Rotarians worldwide. Service Above Self is the motto of Rotary International, which has contributed more than $1.2 billion and tens of thousands of volunteer hours toward polio eradication in addition to projects such as water quality, world peace and literacy. Rotary Club of Fort Myers South meetings are held each Monday at noon at the Crowne Plaza Fort Myers at Bell Tower Shops hotel, 13051 Bell Tower Drive.
About the Friends of Lee County Libraries
Each branch of Lee County Library System has a Friends group supported by memberships and donations. Friends raise money to enhance the services and programming at the local branch, donate to building programs, sponsor ComicFest, support the Summer Reading Program, contribute to the Southwest Florida Reading Festival, and offer programming of their own for adults. Friends library programs are free to the public.