Saint Francis Foundation Seeks Partners for Reach Out and Read

Julie A. Benard, MD, FAAP, DABOM, pediatrician with Cape Physician Associates, shares a book and a smile with Kirstan Mirgeaux and her daughter, Annie

Saint Francis Foundation seeks partners for Reach Out and Read, a program that provides free books to pediatric patients at well-child visits. This program gives young children a foundation for success by incorporating books into pediatric care and encouraging families to read aloud together.

Saint Francis pediatric patients in Cape and Jackson will receive an age-appropriate book at each well-child check from 6 months to 5 years of age, providing a total of nine free books to a child before Kindergarten. Reading to children at an early stage promotes speech development and learning and helps parents bond with their children over books. Books are currently being offered at Cape Physician Associates and Saint Francis Clinic Jackson.

The program was launched through a generous donation from Jason and Lesley Coalter with Rent SEMO.

If you would like to help promote literacy and learning through the continuation of providing free books to pediatric patients, please contact Saint Francis Foundation at 573-331-3192 or visit https://secure.qgiv.com/for/reachoutandread/ to donate.