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Saturday, November 28, 2009

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Staples-Motley Early Childhood Coalition launching 'Books in the Parks' program

STAPLES - The Staples-Motley Early Childhood Coalition has launched its "Books in the Parks" program. The coalition will be joining together with the Staples and Motley Parks Committees in offering this opportunity to encourage reading in the park while enjoying nature and the beauty of area parks.

Beginning in the spring of 2010, bright yellow containers will be placed in parks throughout the Staples-Motley School District area. Initially two parks, one in Motley and one in Staples, have been selected in launching this effort by the coalition with plans to purchase six additional containers before the end of summer 2010.

Inside the containers will be free books for everyone's reading pleasure. Readers are asked only two things in that they not sell or throw the books away. If a reader likes the book they can keep it or pass it on. Or they can simply put the book back in the container for someone else to enjoy. By placing these containers in area parks, the coalition is hoping to encourage everyone to read more to children.

To stock the containers, the coalition will be launching a book drive asking the community for new or gently used books. Plans have just begun for this book drive and more details will follow after the first of the year.

The Staples-Motley Early Childhood Coalition is a diverse group of area community members who meet monthly to develop and strengthen programs within the school district to ensure children are prepared and ready to start their school journey. Based on feedback received at a community speak-out in February, three target areas have been identified and are the focus of the coalition. New members are welcome to join. The coalition is funded by grant money received from the Central Minnesota Initiative Foundation.

For more information on the coalition or how to become involved, join the coalition's Facebook page or contact the program coordinator Myra Horner at (218) 330-8155 or via e-mail at mhorner96@gmail.com.

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