Trish Lollo, Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital president, visited Ross Elementary on May 9 to read and help give out books.
When second-graders in public school districts served by BJC HealthCare pack up their desks at the end of the school year, they will have a brand new book to take home to encourage their summer reading.
In its fourth year, the BJC Book Brigade provides more than 26,000 books to rising third-graders in over 300 public and charter schools in 63 districts throughout the communities served by BJC hospitals including St. Louis City, St. Louis County, St. Charles County, Columbia, Sullivan and Farmington in Missouri; and Alton, Belleville and Shiloh, Ill. The program is a BJC community outreach effort in recognition of the correlation between education and higher income, better health and longer life expectancy.
As part of the program, Trish Lollo, Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital president, visited Ross Elementary on May 9 to read to area second graders and help give out books. The opportunity to spend time with the young students is a bright spot in her day.
“I look forward to this experience every year! Reading to children at their school and watching how excited they are when they receive a new book is a great way to start the day,” Lollo said. “It’s wonderful to experience how BJC is giving back to the community we serve.”
Book titles are selected by curriculum specialists based on age-appropriate content and storyline messages. Employees have the opportunity to donate books online through Scholastic Books, and BJC supplies the remainder. Books are packaged and delivered in partnership with Valley Industries sheltered workshop in St. Louis.
“While it may seem like a modest effort to us, many of the children who received a book last year wrote touching notes to express thanks for a brand new book of their own,” Lollo said. “In the journey toward higher education and better health, the BJC Book Brigade is one small step that will take a very long time. But, we believe it is well worth the long-term effort toward improved reading, high school graduation rates and, ultimately, better health for the future.”