Parents and children gathered at the Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune Naval Hospital’s Pediatric Clinic for an important message through the Reach Out and Read program and some good old fashioned entertainment Aug. 29.
Congressman Walter Jones visited the clinic to support the importance of reading aloud to children by reading three books to the group in attendance.
Reach Out and Read is a nonprofit organization founded in 1989 that promotes early literacy and school readiness in pediatric exam rooms nationwide by giving new books to children and advice to parents about the importance of reading aloud. Books are given to children at checkups from 6-months-old through 5 years, according to www.reachoutandread.org.
Every year Reach Out and Read provides books to more than 16,200 children and serves at 135 locations across the state reaching more than 120,000 infants, toddlers and preschoolers. Bilingual books are also available in 12 languages.
MCB Camp Lejeune is one of 60 military bases around the world that currently participates in the program.
Families, doctors and nurses closely listened as Jones read “Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed,” “Book! Book! Book!” and “Lola at the Library.” The kids not only listened, they commented and answered questions about the books.
Jones’ travels took him to nine different clinics in eastern North Carolina recently.
“We all have to come together for the children, they are the future of America,” said Jones.