Altrusa starts 'Chews to Read' literacy project
The Altrusa International Club of Elgin has initiated a new "Chews to Read" literacy-based service project in collaboration with the Dental Clinic of Greater Elgin Family Care Center, 450 Dundee Ave. in Elgin.
It has been proven that students in the United States miss 51 million hours of school instruction every year because of dental health problems. Students who are consistently absent do not receive critical instruction time, especially those in the early grades where reading skills are an important focus and the building blocks to future learning.
To raise awareness of this problem and to build good oral health and literacy habits, the dental health professionals of Greater Elgin Family Care Center and the Altrusa Club of Elgin are encouraging children and their parents to brush their teeth for 2 minutes, 2 times per day, and read for 20 minutes.
In addition to the oral health care items provided by the clinic, every new patient under the age of 7 will receive an Altrusa "Chews to Read" bag filled with a dental health-themed book, a brushing and reading calendar, a stuffed animal or game, and a suggested book list.
This project is supported and funded by the Altrusa International Foundation of Elgin, Illinois, Inc. The Elgin club was founded in October 1946 by a group of business and professional women. Last May, the club received an award from the Elgin Heritage Commission for its 50-plus years of service as a civic organization promoting literacy, community health, and education in the community. For more information, follow Altrusa International Club of Elgin on Facebook.