First Readers Of Enfield Receives ECAC Mini Grant

Press release from the Enfield Cultural Arts Commission:

June 17, 2021

The Enfield Culture and Arts Commission is pleased to announce First Readers of Enfield as is the newest recipient of an ECAC Mini Grant.

The First Readers Association of Enfield is a town-wide program that recognizes and celebrates a key milestone in learning - becoming a reader. ECAC identified First Readers as a local nonprofit hit hard by the pandemic. Their annual fundraiser was canceled due to social distancing requirements over the winter. The Enfield Culture and Arts Commission $500 mini grant award will be used to purchase new books for the fall 2021 ceremony. Last May, First Readers honored over 300 kindergarten and 1st grade students from all three primary schools in a drive thru ceremony at Asnuntuck Community College.

“I cannot express my gratitude enough to the Enfield Culture and Arts Commission for this grant. First Readers did not get to have their annual trivia night fund raiser this year that funds all of the books, medals, certificates, shirts, pencils and bags that we give out to the new first readers at our ceremonies. This will help us continue one of our goals of putting books in children’s hands to help encourage more reading. First Readers is completely volunteer and could not do what we do without donations and grants and we are so thankful and blessed for this grant. They say it takes a village, and I personally believe Enfield has some of the best community helpers ever!” remarked Charlotte Riley, First Readers Chairperson.

This press release was produced by the Enfield Cultural Arts Commission. The views expressed here are the author's own.