INTERVIEW WITH GEORGIA’S FIRST LADY

INTERVIEW WITH GEORGIA’S FIRST LADY

Q. The State of Georgia just celebrated enrolling the one-millionth child in the state’s Pre-K program…why was this such a milestone?
Dozens of states offer voluntary Pre-K for 4-year-olds, but Georgia’s program is the first tosee a total enrollment of 1 million. Georgia’s Pre-K program is the only lottery funded pre-k program in the country providing this type of cutting edge instruction that helps prepare our youngest children for the 21st Century. The Pre-K program provides our young students with high-quality experiences in order to prepare them for kindergarten and beyond. One million Pre-K students is a milestone that all Georgian’s can celebrate.
Q. You’ve been a longtime champion for children. What do you see as the most pressing needs of children today? 
As a mother, grandmother and First Lady I have seen first-hand the wealth of knowledge a child gains from early interactions both in education and social settings. In my experience I have found that providing Georgia’s children with the right resources we are building a strong future for our state. We can no longer afford to rely entirely on what government agencies can do for these children. We need you – in your business, your faith organization or your civic group – to get involved in your own community.
Q. Pre-K teachers and educators do a great job working with children; what role does the parent play in helping their child love learning?
Nothing can replace the passion for learning a parent can provide their student. I have worked with the Millionth Child Campaign to highlight the benefits of reading with your child. Reading to a child allows a parent to take time out of each day to focus on a loving relationship with both the parent and the imaginative world of reading.
FYI: Volunteer USA is partnering with Georgia to provide our Love. Read. Learn! program to 50,000 Pre-K families. Thanks to Dollar General Literacy Foundation and Pearson Foundation the parent workshops are free of charge.

OUR 15 SECONDS OF FAME

Volunteer USA’s annual Celebration of Reading is always a crowning event, and the 10th Anniversary Celebration held in Bonita Springs Valentine’s Weekend topped them all. With ten best-selling authors returning to join former Governor Jeb Bush and his family, the event was a huge success in raising funds for family literacy programs throughout the southeast. You can enjoy a lot more Celebration of Reading photos and news coverage by clicking here.

Fox & Friends host and author Steve Doocy was a crowd favorite and kind enough to
share a little airtime to talk to Jeb Bush.

A CLASS ACT: GET CREDIT & GIVE BACK FOR FREE!

Want an easy way to give back? Just apply for our custom Volunteer USA credit card and valuable cash donations for every purchase you make will be donated to our organization. Plus, we’ll get a $50 bonus when you make your first purchase. The card has no annual fee, and every time you make a purchase a donation will be made to support our programs. Apply today!

TO HAITI & CHILE, WITH LOVE

We’re collecting Cards of Care, hand-drawn pictures and messages from children in the U.S. who want to share their love and concern to families in Haiti and Chile. The goal is simple—to spread hope in the months and years ahead as these countries recover from the
devastating earthquakes.

Teachers may access a free lesson plan on our website to help guide class discussions using the earthquakes and other real-life disasters as examples of how Americans eagerly assist with recovery efforts. The lesson also provides a platform for teachers to discuss the need for all families to prepare for disasters in
advance, when possible. Click here to learn more.

ELEMENTARY TEACHERS JUST A CLICK AWAY FROM MONEY SAVVY LESSON PLANS FOR KIDS

It’s never too early to start teaching children the value of money and the importance of wise spending and saving habits. So, Volunteer USA and SunTrust Foundation are offering free parent workshops and lesson plans to teachers of 3rd-5th graders in Florida.

The new family-friendly financial education program is supported by the Florida Department of Education. Teachers have easy-access to lessons and worksheets aligned with math and financial literacy standards; just download the lessons from our website to help guide young students through the basics of banking, budgeting and saving, using core math skills including addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.

DONOR SPOTLIGHT: DR. JO AND BUDDY HEWELL KNOW HOW TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Dr. Jo and Buddy Hewell are dedicated literacy advocates and supporters of Volunteer USA, because they believe that in any culture “success” of the people and the nation depends upon the ability to read, write, and speak the primary language. They see the USA as a beacon of hope for people seeking a better life…with many individuals coming to our land with little more than their dreams.

“Our family has always enjoyed the freedom and the opportunity to pursue our dreams, and we regard our efforts to supportFamily Literacy, as responsible citizenship in our nation that has provided so much,” said Dr. Jo Hewell. The Hewell’s are owners of A.T.A.P Insurance Clearinghouse – their mission is to help people live life and live it more abundantly by embracing the interlocking circles, of life, love, and learning.
Thank you for all you do to support families and a love of learning.