South Sound Reading Foundation 

The South Sound Reading Foundation is a local organization serving Thurston and Mason counties and is dedicated to the support of children learning to read.  Their efforts include maintaining a huge library of books which are lent out to children with an emphasis on reaching underserved groups in the community such as the homeless and low-income households.  One way they do this is by driving their delivery van through targeted neighborhoods giving easier access to those in need.

They also offer talks and information about the importance of reading, literacy and brain development.  Their Books for Babies and Born to Read programs distribute books and information to parents of infants. The READY! for Kindergarten program helps parents prepare their children for success in school.

The simple act of reading with children helps them reach their full potential in school and in life. They ask patrons to take a pledge to read with a child 20 minutes every day.

The South Puget Sound Rotary Club has found a way to provided much needed help to the organization.  There is a strong need in the community for Spanish language books yet those books are rare and rarely donated.  Having a member of the club that lives part time in Argentina, a book drive in Buenos Aires has resulted in accumulating over 200 books, mostly new, which have been donated to South Sound Reading Foundation.  Future on-going efforts will result in future donations as well. This program can most likely be easily replicated by other clubs that have a similar organization in their community.

Jennifer Forster, Executive Director of South Sound Reading Foundation gladly receives a sampling of Spanish books from Argentina.