RIF

Fortunate is the child who has parents who care enough about literacy to provide him/her with books, a book shelf, and a good reading lamp. We all know, however, that not all parents do that. Many can't afford it; many don't care.

Just heard that the federal government is cutting the funding for the Reading is Fundamental (RIF) program--we can afford weapons to kill people, but we cannot afford books to educate children. RIF gives 4.5 million children 16 million books a year to take home and keep. The federal govt. pays 75% of the cost, and the program depends on local entities like PTO's, Lions' Clubs, etc. to pick up the rest of the tab.

It is a joy to stand in a room and watch children pick out a book to take home and to tell them that they can keep the book forever. For some, it will be the only book they own. Although the books are paperback and won't last very long with use, they are nevertheless treasured.

Write your congressman, senator and ask that funding for RIF be continued .