International Paper Foundation grants $5,000 to support the Raising A Reader program
Child Care Action Council has been awarded a $5,000 grant from International Paper’s Olympia Complex and the International Paper Foundation. Funds will support the Raising A Reader early literacy program that serves over 700 children between the ages of birth to five years old in Thurston County.
“The effects of COVID-19 have hit our rotating library considerably hard with a substantial increase in the number of missing books and bags from our Raising A Reader program,” said Melanie Kincaid, Development and Communications Manager at Child Care Action Council. “At the start of the pandemic, many of the child care providers closed their doors quickly or parents pulled their children from the child care program, and books and book bags were not returned. This resulted with a huge funding gap needed for replacement items. International Paper is helping us bridge that gap and ensuring that we have enough literacy materials for our participating early learning classrooms throughout Thurston County.”
The International Paper Foundation is one of the ways International Paper strives to reach its vision to be among the most successful, sustainable and responsible companies in the world. Started in 1952, the foundation annually provides millions in grants to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations to address critical needs in the communities where its employees live and work. Funding priority is given to programs related to its signature causes: education, hunger, health & wellness, disaster relief, and initiatives that improve the planet. For more information, visit ipgiving.com.
“At International Paper, we believe our company cannot succeed if our communities do not succeed,” said Joelle Siebert. “We are proud to support The Child Care Action Council as they strive to make an impact on education in Thurston County.”
Photo caption: Gary Burris, Executive Director of Child Care Action Council, accepts grant funds from Damon Alexander, Manufacturing Manager at International Paper Olympia Complex.