I’m very pleased to kick off our 2nd annual Pregnancy Help Center Book Drive! Last year, we were able to give away over $2200 of Usborne and Kane Miller books through our Read to Me program. To God be the glory!

Early literacy and book ownership are incredibly important in the development of children’s lives and key indicators of their success. In fact, having books in the home is twice as important as the father’s education level. Furthermore, currently in middle-income neighborhoods the ratio of books per child is 13 to 1, in low-income neighborhoods, the ratio is 1 age-appropriate book for every 300 cßhildren. This statistic is heartbreaking and we are so blessed to be able to help our clients give their children a strong start academically, as well as other areas of life, by assisting them build or grow their family’s library. Upon completion of the Read to Me Program, families receive 10-12 wonderful children’s books to help develop a love of reading and literacy in their homes and to help put them on track to become life-long readers and learners.

This year, we are taking our book drive a step further. Kane Miller has released a fantastic new book titled How Big is Our Baby? This month-by-month guide is perfect for older-siblings-to-be, showing the baby’s development of their new brother or sister each month and even helping them understand what to expect when the new baby arrives. PHC would LOVE to be able to provide a copy of this book to each family who has older siblings expecting a new baby. In addition to helping older siblings feel more at ease with the coming changes, it also helps the entire family feel more connected to their new baby, helping solidify the personhood and significance of the new life. For a more in-depth look at this book, click here (https://youtu.be/-b-f_GJE1Ts).

How can you help? There are two key ways to contribute to the book drive. First, you or your church members can sponsor a Read to Me family. The cost of sponsorship is $100, which, through Usborne Books & More’s matching program actually provides $150 worth of books. Last year we had individuals, life groups, and Sunday School classes sponsor families. Another option is to donate a copy of How Big is Our Baby? Each book is $14.99 and Usborne Books & More will donate one copy for every two copies donated by contributors. Usborne Books & More will also match personal orders placed through the book drive link (https://h5604.myubam.com/1322000) at 50% (purchase $50 in books for the readers in your life and $25 will be donated to PHC).