Students Donate Books to USA Children’s Medical Center through Reach Out and Read Program

USA pediatrician Dr. Cindy Sheets with class representatives from St. Paul's Episcopal School

The University of South Alabama Children’s Medical Center recently received approximately 100 books collected by kindergarten students at St. Paul’s Episcopal School in Mobile as part of the Reach Out and Read program.

Reach Out and Read is a nonprofit organization that promotes early literacy and school readiness in pediatric physician offices nationwide by giving new books to children and advice to parents about the importance of reading aloud.

According to USA pediatrician Dr. Cindy Sheets, half of the books donated to the USA Children's Medical Center have already been distributed to children visiting the clinic.

“We love to give books at our clinic because the children and parents are so delighted to receive them,” Dr. Sheets said. “We are greatly appreciative of the generosity of the children of St. Paul’s for their donation.”

The Children's Medical Center, which is the pediatric teaching clinic for the University, has been a Reach Out and Read site for 8 years.

The Reach Out and Read program begins at the 6-month checkup and continues through age 5, with a special emphasis on children growing up in economically challenged communities. According to Dr. Sheets, physicians at the Children’s Medical Center also buy books or obtain donated books to give to children at sick visits and at well visits to ages outside of the official Reach Out and Read guidelines.