Jordan Washington
The Alpha Phi chapter, Delta Kappa Gamma, will be continuing their literary project, which is a tradition that has been an integral part within the organization for over 20 years. The project has been a helpful commodity in Jacksonville, and it has also expanded over the last three years.
The literacy project aims to help young children be able to read and attain books. The books languages’ range anywhere from French and Spanish. The goal is to help aide the growing African and Hispanic populations in the counties of Cass, Morgan, and Scott, by providing them with books to help keep a part of their culture while still being in a new environment. The project also aims at making fellow central Illinoisans more literate.
Deborah Bicknell, the chair of the committee, thinks that “literacy is important for anybody,” which is why she cares for the project so much. “The earlier they can do it, the better they can read,” she later said. Reading is as much a part of life as breathing. We do it every day, whether we consciously realize it or not. Being literate will also help you get ahead in life, as well as understanding the world around you.
Due to this great thing taking place, money is bound to be a problem. Alpha Phi has been asking for donations no matter how big or small, and they have also been writing proposals and grants to help aide the financial aspect of it. Although they are in need of financial aid, in the past, thanks to previous donors, they were able to distribute over 3000 books. They are trying to be able to be able to give away more this year if the funding goes as planned.
The literacy project doesn’t just extend to foreign born community members, but they also give reading tools to country health departments. Those items would include, developmental guidelines for parents, and new baby packets that re found in Passavant Hospital. The wealth of information that is being provided by the literacy project is very helpful. If it weren’t for this organization, a lot of community members would be less informed, and it would be harder for them to learn literacy due to being in central Illinois. And not being able to go to a near city, like Chicago, to get that information.
The organization is still raising money to be able to continue with their project for this year. They know that they will definitely be able to do it, but any financial donation will help them broaden their great cause. It is such a great project and the goal that it’s trying to accomplish is something that every human being is worthy of deserving. If you would like to help in any way, feel free to give Deborah Bicknell a call at (2170 -754-3430. Or, you can mail a donation to PO Box 272, Bluffs IL 62621. Or, if you would like a list of donors that you can donate through, the list is featured below:
Arends and Awe, Inc.
Beardstown Lions Club
Mark Bicknell
Bound To Stay Bound
Kevin and Allison Burrus
Cass Cable TV, Inc.
Cargill Meat Solutions, Beardstown
Cass County Retired Teachers
Centenary Fox Trust
Church Women United – Wesley Chapel
Consolidated Grain and Barge, Naples
Farmers State Bank and Trust Company
First National Bank of Arenzville
First National Bank of Beardstown
First Presbyterian Church Mission Committee
Fox Fund, Grace UMC
Illinois Prairie Community Foundation
Illinois Rural Electric Coop Community Fund
Jacksonville Area Chapter AARP
Jacksonville Kiwanis
Jacksonville Savings Bank
Lambda State Foundation
L and H Insurance Agency, Bluffs
Lynch Family Dentistry
Margaret Wilson, M.D.
Morgan/Scott Retired Teachers Association
Mr. Don Chipman
Mrs. Alf Anderson
Mrs. Raymond McDonald
Our Town Books
Passavant Hospital
Petefish, Skiles and Co. Bank
Premier Bank
Thomas Eoff, State Farm Agent
Tom and Jan Tiffin
Triopia CUSD 27
Trinity Episcopal Church Fellowship
Triopia Federation of Teachers
William W. Weller DDS
Wesley Chapel Harmony Class
Wessler Brothers Insurance
Westermeyer Industries, Bluffs
Westown Ford
Photo was taken at Diaper Bags to Backpacks fair. Alpha Phi president Dana Ryan and member Betsy Kennedy working the booth.
Alpha Phi member Kathy English holding reading and math activity cards. Pat Kinsell of the health department staff, and Martha Hauck (Alpha Phi member), with French language books
