Community Spotlight: ELC Marks MLK Day with Book Giveaway

PALMETTO – The Early Learning Coalition of Manatee County, Inc (ELC) was delighted to commemorate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by distributing 2500 children’s books embodying his story, values and experiences at coordinated MLK Day of Service events on Saturday, January 18th and Monday, January 20th.

Courtesy of a $6528 grant from the State College of Florida (SCF), the ELC purchased 2950 books in total representing 11 different themes including Dr.King’s experiences in the pursuit of racial and social equality/justice, peace, courage, leadership, education and economic elevation in America.

The books were distributed by 30 volunteers at the MLK Parade in Palmetto, Palmetto Youth Center, the DeSoto Square Mall, the Educational Consultant Consortium's library, Daughtery Elementary, Orange Ridge Elementary, Oneco Elementary, St. Joseph's Catholic School, and Bashaw Elementary schools.  

The remaining 450 books will be distributed to the children and families that are routinely served by the ELC during February’s Black History Month to extend the scope and impact of the project.

Sharon Oakes, ELC Chief Operations Officer, said: “We would like to thank our friends at SCF for their generous grant that allowed us to mark this historic day by purchasing almost 3000 books that allow children to share in the legacy of Dr.Martin Luther King Jr.”

The Early Learning Coalition of Manatee County is a multi-service agency dedicated to helping children develop skills that they will need to be successful in school and life. The agency's focus is on high quality school readiness opportunities for all children and their families, understanding that it is in the first years of life that a child's future educational success is determined and the critical role of parents, as their child's first and most important teacher. To learn more about the Coalition's services, go to www.elc-manatee.org or call 941-757-2900.