Putnam County

P.O. Box 4283
Eatonton, Georgia  31024
putnamcounty@ferstreaders.org

Putnam County’s Ferst Readers provides books for the children of Putnam County and currently has 980+ children enrolled to receive a monthly book. We work with local schools and organizations to register eligible children and then with your support, we will continue to raise the $36 per year to provide our young readers with a foundation for success by covering the cost of books.

2020 Joint Greene-Putnam Fall Adopt-A-Reader Campaign

 
Give the gift of Literacy … a gift that will last a lifetime!

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Ferst Readers is a publicly funded non-profit organization that promotes the development of early childhood literacy skills in children from birth to age 5, especially those who need the most help with getting access to age-appropriate books for their home. Using donations from people in our own local counties, we mail a FREE book a month to every registered child, along with a copy of our “Leap Into Books” newsletter which has guides for parents about reading to their child and additional fun and creative supplementary activity ideas that the whole family can enjoy.

Research has shown that reading regularly to children during the critical, formative years develops language and literacy skills that directly correspond with school success. The single most important predictor of academic achievement and future success is the ability to read. When children enter kindergarten with pre-reading and literacy skills, they are ready to learn with confidence and are on their way to success. While Ferst Readers cannot address all of the issues of early development, it can eliminate one reason why parents don’t read to their children: the non-availability of quality, age-appropriate books in the home.

Why We Are Contacting You Right Now…

Each Fall as a new school year begins, Ferst Readers of Greene and Putnam Counties have traditionally held an annual adopt-a-reader fundraising campaign to raise the funds needed to buy books  and mail them at the excellent rate of just $36 a year per child. The unprecedented circumstances of the COVID-19 have created uncertainties that remain for the months ahead. Therefore, we have had to make the decision to cancel plans for a physical event and raffle ticket sales and are asking instead for your direct support of simply making a donation to sponsor one (or more!) children for the coming year. While we realize that many charities are appealing to you for support throughout the year, please know that a contribution to your local Ferst Readers program is an extremely worthwhile investment in making a difference in the lives of our own children and the future of our own local area. 

You can adopt-a-reader by mailing your tax-deductible donation to P. O. Box 4283 Eatonton, Ga  31024 or by donating online through the following link:

Adopt-A-Reader in Ferst Readers of Greene and Putnam Counties

 2021 Seuss on the Loose

                                                        Pictures of past  “Seuss on the Loose” festival.  Fun for everyone!!

One of Putnam Ferst Readers's continuing literacy outreach efforts along with the Eatonton-Putnam County Library is creating partnerships with local business/organizations to build and install "little libraries" throughout Putnam County.  These mini "take a book/leave a book" stations provide a super-easy way to support reading for everyone and to connect with the community.

We currently have Little Libraries at the following locations.
    


* Putnam County Oconee Springs Park                        * Putnam Christian Outreach  
       
* Putnam Department of Family/Children Services        * Crooked Creek Community Association

* Putnam County Health Department                            * Putnam County Recreation Department

* Putnam Center of Central Georgia TechnicalCollege   * Plaza Arts Center 

* Eatonton Police Department                                    *Twin Bridges Fire Department

                          
*Flat Rock Fire Department

      

Hannah and Eliana were thrilled to choose a book from the Little Library located at The Plaza Community Center.

Liam found a great book to read from the Little Library located at Flat Rock Fire Department.

You, employees, friends or fellow organization members can sharpen your carpentry skills by building a library as well as hosting one on your property.  It's a "win/win" for your organization and Putnam's citizens. 

Ferst Readers of Putnam participated in the
2020 Eatonton Downtown Scarecrow display
during the month of October

Thanks to all the people that visited our display and read with our Ferst Scarecrow Family.  We placed 2nd place in the non-profit division and  received $200 award prize that will be a part of our Fall Fundraising efforts.   
Special thanks to Debbie and Luke Odum, Tina Mason, Todd Swymer and the Putnam County Health Department for contributing to the creation of our display.

 Putnam Ferst Readers's Quarterly Newsletters:

Our CAT volunteers love working with the children in our community and schools.

Ferst Readers of Putnam County is excited to share the readings of K3 and K4 books chosen by The Ferst Readers and distributed each month. Until our CAT volunteers can resume the reading visits to the classrooms we hope that parents and teachers will share our efforts with their children once their book has been received. Please continue to visit our page for the posted video read by one of our CAT volunteers. 

Grab your book and click on the picture to read along with CAT volunteer Cammie Edwards.

                  The Copy Crocs                          Three Hens and a Peacock                                   Chryanthemun                                  Anno’s Counting Book
Ferst Readers K3 book for October            Ferst Readers K4 book for October                Ferst Readers K4 book for November            Ferst Readers K3 book for November

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