Former educator praises reading program

Says librarys services are invaluable

First United Methodist Church pre-school student Griffin Rosengart, 5, dives into a book during the Stateboro Regional Library's Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) program Thursday. RIF is the largest childrens literacy nonprofit in the United States. It prepares and motivates children to read by delivering free books and literacy resources to those children and families who need them most.

121312 UNITED WAY RIF 02 — First United Methodist Church pre-school student Griffin Rosengart, 5, dives into a book during the Stateboro Regional Library's Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) program Thursday. RIF is the largest childrens literacy nonprofit in the United States. It prepares and motivates children to read by delivering free books and literacy resources to those children and families who need them most.

Note: This story is part of a continuing series on local United Way agencies.For more than 16 years as a media-center specialist, Debra Chester played a critical role in the reading education of hundreds of Bulloch County youngsters. In that time, the recently retired educator says she developed a passion for one local program that has done more for area students than she, or any one person, could ever imagine.“What I saw during my 16 years was a total, absolute love for the Statesboro Regional Library’s Reading Is Fundamental program from both parents and children,” Chester said. “I can’t even begin to talk about how important it is.

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