Free Books For Paulding Kids Funded By Dallas Insurance Agent

DALLAS, GA — A Georgia-based literacy organization has received a $2,500 donation through a Dallas insurance agent to provide free, high-quality books to Paulding County children.

Ferst Readers announced that it had received the money from State Farm Insurance through Suzanne Whitworth, one of the company’s Dallas agents.

Children enrolled in Ferst Readers receive a new book mailed to them at home every month from birth until their fifth birthday. Along with each book, parents receive resources that explain how to help their children become successful readers, all at no cost to the family.

According to Ferst’s website, participating publishers include HarperCollins, Peachtree Publisher and Our Rainbow Press.

Whitworth, who opened her State Farm agency in 2019, said she was “ecstatic” to give to Ferst Readers through her business.

“My family has been blessed with beautiful books from Ferst Readers since 2010 for both of our children,” Whitworth said. “Our daughter just turned five and received her final book.”

Ferst Readers, a nonprofit based in Madison, Georgia, has been active in Paulding County since 2016. The program is made possible by an all-volunteer Paulding County Community Action Team, and funding is provided through private donations, corporate sponsorships and grants.

Ferst currently delivers books to more than 45,000 children every month in seven states and has placed more than 6.7 million books in children’s homes since its founding in 1999.

More than 7,000 books have been mailed so far to Paulding County children. The cost to support a child in the program for one year is $36.

To find out if your child is eligible to enroll in the Ferst Readers program, call 706-343-0177, email ReadToMe@ferstreaders.org or visit the Ferst website.