Budding Readers partnered with F. F. Thompson Hospital from 2012 until COVID hit. Pre-pandemic, our volunteers attended all in-person birthing classes at to talk with expectant parents about the importance and joy of reading to their infants as a part of their daily routine. Each new family was given a “bundle of books” to get them started. During the pandemic, when classes were offered over Zoom, our bundles of books were offered to the expectant parents, if they picked them up at the hospital. Since July 2012 we gifted more than 852 bundles of books at more than 200 birthing classes.
Unfortunately, none of the hospitals have resumed in-person birthing classes. However, in early 2024, Ontario County Public Health stepped into the void and has been offering in-person birthing classes, breast feeding, and newborn care classes regularly since. They invited Budding Readers to join them and we are thrilled to be back providing books to expectant parents!
Even NICU babies enjoy a good story!
“A new baby is like the beginning of all things – wonder, hope, a dream of possibilities.”
– Eda J. LeShan