Reach Out and Read
“There are many ways to enlarge a child’s world. Love of books is the best of them all.” This quote from Jacqueline Kennedy [while she served as First Lady of the United States] is at the heart of the Reach Out and Read Program at NYU Langone Long Island’s pediatric department. The Program gives out books to patients at several of is pediatric practices. In mid-November, the pediatric department reached out to the Michael Magro Foundation (MMF) to provide books for the Reach Out and Read Program.
Terrie Magro reached out to Eileen Minogue, Executive Director of the Book Fairies Inc., to ask for assistance. The Freeport-based nonprofit organization was thrilled to lend their support. Sherry McGrath, the organization’s Program Manager, contacted the hospital and arranged for boxes of books – ranging from board books to picture books to chapter books – to be delivered to both our Pediatric Associates office and our Hempstead clinic.
The Book Fairies will now be making deliveries of books every two weeks to NYU Langone Health Long Island for the children in the hospital’s care today and for the weeks and months ahead. The pediatric staff is thankful to be able to give the gift of reading to their patients. “By making reading a part of their daily lives, we are encouraging strong parent-child bonds.” stated a member of the pediatric team. “Children who are read to more often have improved language and listening skills, experience stronger emotional connections to their loved ones, and gain a lifelong love of reading.”
The Book Fairies echoed this sentiment. Minogue noted, “Access to books is the biggest barrier to literacy. The more books children have at home, the more they read with family members and caregivers. The more they read, the better their chances at future success. Over the last eight years, The Book Fairies has distributed over 2.5 million books to families in need. The Book Fairies is thrilled to partner with Reach Out and Read Program at NYU Langone Health Long Island. Together we will continue our shared mission of flooding high-need communities with books.” Michael Magro Foundation is thrilled to venture forward in this partnership to bring books and smiles to pediatric patients.