Because of some sickness and difficulties in my family, I am late getting this out to you. I will try to hit the most important things and let the others go until next month.
Last week, Chet and I delivered 171 children's books to Bill Evers for distribution in the FELT program. FELT's founder, Jane Evers, thought it was important to give the children books along with their food at the last session before Christmas vacation. We were able to help with that dream for several years. This year was a little different though since the FELT program is now serving nearly 400 homeless children in the school system. We were quite short of that number even though Deborah Thomas and I made a last minute foray to the Good Will Book Store at Tara. When I called Bill, he said they would be happy to hand out as many books as they got. I divided them into grade levels with a little sadness thinking of those who would not get a book.
Please bring in any lightly used books you may have for K-5 children. Of course, an occasional child can read at the 6-7 grade level, so those are acceptable also. Just because a child is homeless does not mean he or she is not a good reader. If you want to buy some books, second hand stores, the Good Will Book Store at Tara, and sometimes at regular stores, there are new books for sale at great prices. If we could get 400 books together before the end of the school year, we could send the kids home with a book each for summer reading.
Sam Lane, a popular pianist in the Bradenton-Sarasota area, will entertain us at our Holiday meeting on December 18. We hope you will all be there to enjoy his program. There was an article about him in the Sarasota Herald Tribune several weeks ago. He plays jazz and pop, and most surprising, he is blind.
If you do not hear from your caller before this Sunday, please call Mary Ann Jensen, 756-7603, to make a reservation. If you arrive at Renaissance on 9th at 11 a.m. or shortly thereafter, the line will not be as long.
Ellen
