“Autism is fast becoming an epidemic in America. 1 in every 96 new born boys are autistic and with no known cure we have to support these children in every way possible,” said Matt Meinrod.

One of the projects we’re currently working on is the “My First Books” Book Drive for the Early Learning Coalition of the Big Bend. Through the “My First Books” program, a new children’s book will be given to each family who visits one of the seven ELC Family Service Centers. During the visit, ELC staff members will help parents to identify various ways they can support their children’s literacy development.

What You Can Do To Help

“My First Books” depends on community supports in order to ensure that the ELC has the resources needed to provide books to families with young children. Through community donations and book drives, we will be able to continue to provide quality children’s books to families with young children.

Ways to Give the Gift of Reading:

1. Donate funds to purchase new quality children’s book (the average cost is $5/book); the ELC works with national and local book distributors in order to obtain the best price possible. The Coalition is also looking for civic groups and businesses as partners in supporting the “My First Books” project and will provide recognition to any corporate or group sponsorship by placing your logo and organization’s name on stickers on each book, as well as advertising your logo and group name in ELC publications and ELC offices throughout the region.

2. Donate gently used children’s book appropriate for young children.

For details about “My First Books”, call (850) 385-0504 or e-mail outreach@elcbigbend.org