More than 200 children and teachers came out to celebrate Dr. Seuss’s birthday with SCPCF and volunteers from the community on March 6.

The Scotland County Reading is Fundamental component has an undeniable positive impact on beginning literacy among pre-school aged children.

When asked how the children enjoyed the event, Vevely Malloy, Owner and Director of Stateline Children’s World child care center stated “ The event was well planned with interesting activities for the children; they especially enjoyed the fire truck and police car”.

The Scotland County Partnership for Children and Families (SCPCF) hosted the Dr. Seuss Birthday Celebration at St. Andrews Presbyterian College.

Each year this event is held in recognition of Dr. Seuss’ many contributions to childhood literacy that still has a positive impact on children’s lives today. Scotland County Partnership for Children and Families sponsors the Scotland County Reading is Fundamental (RIF) program.

The primary focus of this program is to encourage a love for words and reading through literacy activities. Three times per year SCPCF distributes free children’s books to child care facilities and homes throughout the county, as well as; the Head Start centers. Each book distribution has a particular theme that goes along with the book and activity that are planned.

The themes for his year’s activities were: Multicultural Holidays, Community Helpers, and Dental Health.

The Partnership staff and volunteers visited 36 child care sights that signed up to receive RIF, and distributed 1,857 books to more than 650 children ages birth to five years old. After all book distributions have taken place, SCPCF coordinates the Dr. Seuss Birthday Celebration as a way of showing appreciation for the child care facilities and homes that participated. It gives the children an opportunity to take a break from their classroom activities to learn and have fun with lovable characters such as Clifford the Big Red Dog and the Cat in the Hat.

The Partnership would like to express appreciation and gratitude to everyone who contributed to this event; including the volunteers from the Christian Home Educators of the Scotland County Area (C.H.E.S.C.A.), Laurinburg Fire Department, and the Laurinburg Police Department.

The Partnership would also like to recognize all of the businesses and agencies that donated items for this event: Smithfield’s Chicken & BBQ, Burger King, Domino’s, Pizza Hut, Papa Johns, Pizza Inn, Food Lion, Harris Teeter, Hardee’s of Laurel Hill, Scotland Memorial Hospital, Scotland County Cooperative Extension, Scotland County Literacy Council, American Red Cross, Scotland County Parks & Recreation, Scotland County DSS/Work First, and Scholastic.

If you are interested in participating in next years book distributions or events please contact David Martin, Program Coordinator at 276-3333.