More sign-ups needed for free children's books

Those who work with children in need still have an opportunity to bring 40,000 free books to Southeast Missouri -- no strings attached, according to staff at Community Caring Council.

The council recently partnered with the not-for-profit First Book, which provides 20 free new books to each person who registers through the organization's Books on Wheels program.

The thousands of books would be delivered to Cape Girardeau in a tractor-trailer soon after 2,000 people sign up, said Stacy Taylor, asset coordinator at Community Caring Council.

The first registration deadline was set for Oct. 1 but since has been moved to spring in hopes of getting books to children before summer break.

The truck can't be scheduled to deliver the books until registration reaches 2,000, Taylor said, and about 500 people have registered so far.

"The sooner we get people registered, the sooner we can get the books here," she said.

There are no geographical boundaries for who can register, as long as they can pick up their books in Cape Girardeau. Those who have signed up so far cover an area in Missouri from Perryville to Poplar Bluff and as far west as Potosi, Taylor said.

The program is not only for educators, Taylor said, but anyone who works with or helps at-risk children, including Optimist and Zonta clubs.

Also eligible to register are workers at school districts; early childhood programs; military-family support programs; libraries and museums; shelters and clinics; faith-based organizations; after-school programs; and others who work with children in need.

The books ultimately are required to go home with a child.

Some people worry the program is too good to be true, Taylor said, and are concerned they would be charged shipping and handling fees. But there's no catch with the Books on Wheels program, she said.

"The books are totally free, but there has to be an anchoring organization that takes on the work on the ground with that," she said, adding Books on Wheels is different from the steps listed on First Book's website for other programs. "We've done a lot of research on this and discussion with our contact with First Book. It really is what it is."

Since 1992, First Book has distributed more than 130 million books and educational resources to programs and schools serving children from low-income families throughout the United States and Canada.

"If people have put it off, please go ahead and follow through with it, and help us get those books to kiddos in our community," she said.

Those interested may sign up online at register.firstbook.org/?rgst=THRIVE. For questions, call Community Caring Council at (573) 651-3747.

klamb@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3639

Pertinent address:

937 Broadway St., Suite 306, Cape Girardeau, Mo.