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Exchange Bank Donates $1,000 to Ferst Readers of Baldwin County
Exchange Bank recently showed support for Ferst Readers of Baldwin County with a $1,000 donation to help promote early literacy and kindergarten readiness in the local community.
Ferst Readers provides free, age-appropriate books to children from birth to five years old, equipping families with the tools to build strong literacy skills from the start. By delivering one book per month directly to a child’s home, the program helps bridge the literacy gap and ensures that children enter school prepared to learn.
The $1,000 donation from Exchange Bank will fund one full month of book deliveries for children in Baldwin County, making a direct and immediate impact on the lives of local families.
Approximately 85% of brain development occurs by age three, well before traditional education begins in kindergarten. Access to books at home also plays a vital role in long-term academic success. Research shows a strong correlation between the number of books in the home and higher reading scores. Yet, 61% of low-income families have no books at all in their homes. While children in middle-class families often experience 1,000 to 1,700 hours of one-on-one picture book reading, those in low-income households are exposed to an average of just 25 hours. Ferst Readers helps close this gap by providing consistent, high-quality reading material directly to families.
“We know that literacy opens the door to opportunity,” said John Childs, President and CEO of Exchange Bank. “By supporting Ferst Readers, we’re helping ensure that children in Baldwin County have the resources they need to build strong reading skills and thrive in school. It’s an investment in our community’s future.”
Ferst Readers relies on community partnerships and financial contributions to expand its reach and make an impact across Baldwin County. To learn more about Ferst Readers or to find out how you can support their work, visit https://ferstreaders.org.
