‘Speedy Delivery’
Participating in the ribbon-cutting of Community Action Southwest’s new literacy awareness project, Little Free Libraries, at 84 Lumber are, front row, from left, David Newell, better known as Mr. McFeely of “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood”; Fiona Supernovich, 3; Tatum and Tally Quallick, 3; and Darreon Anderson, 5; back row, Cathy Friend, co-owner and chief financial officer of Friend Aircare, who has partnered with CAS to launch the project; Washington County Commissioner Diana Irey Vaughan; Becky Mancuso, vice president of marketing at 84 Lumber, which is the corporate sponsor of the first six libraries; Darlene J. Bigler, CEO of Community Action; and Richard Burgess, member of the board of directors of Community Action.
Mr. McFeely of “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” entertains Tatum Quallick, 3, of Washington, and Darreon Anderson, 5, of Canonsburg during the kickoff of Community Action Southwest’s Little Free Libraries at 84 Lumber, the project’s initial corporate sponsor.
EIGHTY FOUR – Much to the delight of the youngsters in attendance, David Newell, best known as Mr. McFeely of “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood,” recently made a “Speedy Delivery” to help Community Action Southwest launch its latest initiative: a literacy awareness project known as Little Free Libraries.
CAS is hoping that by placing Little Free Libraries near early childhood education centers, public housing communities and lower- income neighborhoods, it will give youngsters a jumpstart on a lifelong journey of learning and success.
Users will be encouraged to borrow and donate books – new or used – and participate in the free community book exchange. The libraries will be maintained by volunteers throughout the year to keep them well-stocked and fresh.
Community Action Southwest CEO Darlene J. Bigler said that the ability to read – and read well – allows children to succeed in school, learn about the world, function in society and, eventually, secure a good job.
According to the U.S. Department of Education, children who are read to at home enjoy a substantial advantage over children who are not, and the more types of reading materials there are in the home, the better students are in reading proficiency.
“Community Action Southwest has one simple solution that doesn’t require much effort and resources, and is sustainable,” Bigler told the crowd gathered at the kickoff event at 84 Lumber, the inaugural corporate supporter and sponsor of six Little Free Libraries.
“Little Free Libraries serve as a simple solution to help address a complex problem – one that can be addressed locally by everyone in the community.”
Cathy Friend, co-owner and chief financial officer of Friend Aircare, is an avid reader and is partnering with CAS on its campaign.
“My love of reading started at an early age, when my mother shared her passion with me,” Friend said. “Through Little Free Libraries, the goal is to inspire a new generation of children and adults who have no access to books.
“This is a great opportunity for parents or grandparents to sponsor a Little Free Library in honor of their children and continue the legacy of reading for pleasure and to expand our horizons.”
Mr. McFeely read the book “Speedy Delivery,” which he then donated to CAS’ Little Free Libraries, to the adults and children, playfully showing them that reading can be fun.
For each inaugural sponsorship, CAS will coordinate the construction of a Little Free Library using local manpower and ecofriendly resources. It will be installed in the community on the sponsor’s behalf, filled with books for children and adults of all ages and registered with LittleFreeLibraries.org.
Each library also will be personalized with the sponsoring business’ logo or the name of someone the sponsor wishes to honor or memorialize. One sponsorship will enable CAS to construct, install, monitor and maintain the library for a full year. CAS plans to place at least 30 free libraries within the next year.
Volunteers are being recruited to help construct and install the Little Free Libraries. To volunteer, contact CAS at https://caswg.org/volunteer or 724-225-9550. Donations can be made by pressing the Donate Now! button on the agency’s website at https://caswg.org, or mailed to: CAS, 150 W. Beau St., Suite 304, Washington, PA 15301.