Rotary Club of Elgin's literacy project benefits thousands of children

The Rotary Club of Elgin, sometimes referred to as the “Noon Club,” is participating in a communitywide project to promote reading, in collaboration with Bernie's Books.

Approximately 20,000 books, puzzles, games, stuffed animals and interactive books, will be given to families through the “Hope for the Holidays” gift giving project.

The gifts will benefit about 950 local families and 2,500 children.

“Hope for the Holidays” is a collaboration between Elgin's Salvation Army and Community Crisis Center.

The Rotary Club has already given out over 2,500 books to the Marklund School, Centro de Informacion, Fox Valley Christian Action, Gail Borden Public Library's Welcome Baby Project, TLC Pregnancy, Second Baptist Church, Good Shepherd Preschool, South Elgin Police Department, The Literacy Connection, and the Elgin YWCA.

Volunteers including St. Edward Central Catholic High School students and Interact Club members as well as Salvation Army volunteers assisted the Rotary Club of Elgin.

Together they sorted, labeled and cataloged over 20,000 books. Promoting literacy and learning by giving books to as many children as possible is the Rotary Club of Elgin's goal.

The club is very grateful for the assistance of Bernie's Books which helped make these projects possible.

For more information about the Rotary Club of Elgin, visit www.RotaryClubofElgin.org or send an email at elginrotary@gmail.com with your contact information.

Consider becoming a member or volunteer. The club meets weekly. Currently, they are meeting online at 12:05 p.m. Mondays, via Zoom.

Local Rotary Clubs are looking for not just new members, but those who may be able to participate by volunteering with a Rotary Club. If interested in more information, email elginrotary@gmail.com.

Follow www.facebook.com/RotaryClubofElgin/.