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Congressman Allen donates books to City Hall’s children's reading nook

The books came from the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C.
Congressman-Allen-Book-Donation
L-R Back Row: Charles Wilson, Superintendent of Bulloch Schools, Stuart Gregory, Director of Business Development, Bulloch Solutions, Michelle Lank, Owner Kids World Learning Center, John Scott, CEO Bulloch Solutions, L-R front row, Nancy Shumaker, Altrusa Club, Jennifer Agnew, School Improvement and Literacy, Bulloch Schools, Crystal Simpkins, Director of Early Learning and Literacy, Bulloch Schools, Congressman Rick Allen, Charles Penny, City Manager, City of Statesboro Credit: Grice Connect

U.S. Congressman Rick Allen, who represents Bulloch County as the Georgia 12th district representative, visited Statesboro City Hall Wednesday, August 10, 2022 bearing gifts from the Library of Congress.

The 85 books donated by Congressman Allen have been placed in the reading nook in the lobby of City Hall. The book donation and the Congressman's support of this project provides a huge lift to literacy efforts in Bulloch County.

"If a young person is not reading at a third grade level, by third grade, they will not graduate from high school," said Congressman Allen. "By working with Churches and other organizations (like Bulloch Literacy) ....we could have our children reading on a third grade level by first grade. Our communities can do that. We have this happening in certain communities in this country right now."

The reading nook was established as a partnership between Statesboro Mayor Jonathan McCollar and the City of Statesboro with the Bulloch County Schools Literacy Council. The reading nook is part of the schools system's "Bulloch READ" initiative. Children who visit the nook will be able to take a book home with them free of charge.

"The goal of the Bulloch County Literacy council is to come together to find ways we can increase the literacy in Bulloch County," said Crystal Simpkins, Director of Early Learning and Literacy for Bulloch County Schools. "The reading nook is just one of our initiatives to (promote) literacy."

Placing reading nooks in local businesses to boost access to books for children and help improve preschool and early-elementary literacy in Bulloch County.

The City Hall reading nook was the third nook to open this school year. Bulloch Solutions / Bulloch Telephone and Franklin Chevrolet Buick GMC are also participating in the program.

Bulloch READ stands for:

  • "R"eading: Encourage the creation of reading nooks.
  • "E"nvironment: Encourage a literacy-rich environment.
  • "A"ccess: Increase access to books and reading resources.
  • "D"evelopment: Increase early brain development.

Watch Congressman Rick Allen's presentation of the books below: