Jill’s Books

Literacy is an important issue to Rotary International, and especially for the Rotary Club of Milledgeville.  Rotary recognizes how big a difference reading can make and how important it is for a child to have early success and positive feelings about reading.

The club created an exciting literacy program, “Jill’s Books”.  This project is named after Jill Stewart, daughter of Rotarian Randy Stewart and wife, Susan.  Jill was killed in an automobile accident at the early age of 15.   Jill loved to read and enjoyed life.  She continues to be very special to this community.

In honor and memory of this special young lady, and to further assist with literacy in Baldwin County, the Rotary Club of Milledgeville provided books for all 1st graders in Baldwin County Schools.  A special bookmark was placed in each book with a picture of Jill with information about her, and Rotary’s commitment to literacy.  On the back of each bookmark is Rotary’s Four Way Test.  Also on the front of each book is a sticker with the Rotary International wheel.

96% of the club members participated in this project .  The membership participated in these areas:  placing bookmarks in the books, placing stickers on the front of each book, and distributing the books to students.  Rotarians, along with Jill’s parents, met at the different schools over a period of six days to distribute the books.   The bookmark and sticker were designed by Rotarian Keith Barlow, and printing was provided by Rotarian Travis Strickland all free of charge.

The local school system participated by special ordering the 1st grade books at their cost.   Several spouses of Rotarians and friends of the Stewart family volunteered to assist in the distribution of the books.

$2,171.69 was spent to purchase the books.  The money was raised through an auction held the previous year.

Many children, especially those in lower income homes, do not have a book to read in their home.  Rotary wants to change this for children in Baldwin County and we are off to a great start.  The earlier children develop the love of reading the better. Reading is the foundation of all learning and when we give our children the love of learning, it is a gift that will last a lifetime.  Students who get off to a fast start in reading are more likely to read over the years, and furthermore, this very act of reading can help children compensate for modest levels of cognitive ability by building their vocabulary and general knowledge. 

Teachers and students were delighted to have brand new books for the students to take home.

A total of 575 books were given out to children in Baldwin County and we received 575 smiles in return.