READ TO SUCCEED
Read to Succeed is VFL's early childhood and youth literacy program. Projects are aimed at providing young people with the tools and training they need to succeed.
VFL BOOK BANK
The VFL Book Bank has a collection of thousands of new and gently used books that are collected and distributed to children and adults throughout Habersham County. Books are provided for 19 Little Free Libraries, the Kiwanis Christmas Program and for the Feed A Friend/Summer Reading Program. The Book Bank has distributed more than 22,000 books since it opened in 2011. Email VFL at [email protected] to make a donation.
The VFL Book Bank has a collection of thousands of new and gently used books that are collected and distributed to children and adults throughout Habersham County. Books are provided for 19 Little Free Libraries, the Kiwanis Christmas Program and for the Feed A Friend/Summer Reading Program. The Book Bank has distributed more than 22,000 books since it opened in 2011. Email VFL at [email protected] to make a donation.
THE DICTIONARY PROJECT
VFL distributes free dictionaries to all third-grade public school students in Habersham County. These personal dictionaries assist students with their schoolwork and language development. Why third graders? Studies show that if a child is not reading on his/her grade level by the third grade he/she is more likely to fall behind and, eventually, drop out of school. Dictionaries are presented in October when students at each school gather in the media center. A VFL volunteer wearing a cap and gown talk with the children about the importance of staying in school and having a career. Along with the dictionaries, they receive a writing pen inscribed with their graduation year.
VFL distributes free dictionaries to all third-grade public school students in Habersham County. These personal dictionaries assist students with their schoolwork and language development. Why third graders? Studies show that if a child is not reading on his/her grade level by the third grade he/she is more likely to fall behind and, eventually, drop out of school. Dictionaries are presented in October when students at each school gather in the media center. A VFL volunteer wearing a cap and gown talk with the children about the importance of staying in school and having a career. Along with the dictionaries, they receive a writing pen inscribed with their graduation year.
ONE BOOK HABERSHAM
Across the country for more than a decade people have been coming together to build community through stories. Habersham County has joined this national movement with One Book Habersham. Through OBH, people throughout Habersham County Georgia are invited to read and share the same picture book. Covid-19 resulted in the 2020 program being canceled. Plans are to re-start the program in 2024. Go to www.onebookhabersham.org for more on One Book Habersham.
Across the country for more than a decade people have been coming together to build community through stories. Habersham County has joined this national movement with One Book Habersham. Through OBH, people throughout Habersham County Georgia are invited to read and share the same picture book. Covid-19 resulted in the 2020 program being canceled. Plans are to re-start the program in 2024. Go to www.onebookhabersham.org for more on One Book Habersham.
SUMMER READING PROGRAM
VFL partners with Habersham County Schools to provide free summer reading programs for kids in Habersham County. Currently, VFL sets up tables full of books adjacent to bag lunch distribution points. Children in the lunch program can choose five books to take and keep as their own in June and again in July. Between 800 - 1,000 books were distributed in each of the past three summers.
VFL partners with Habersham County Schools to provide free summer reading programs for kids in Habersham County. Currently, VFL sets up tables full of books adjacent to bag lunch distribution points. Children in the lunch program can choose five books to take and keep as their own in June and again in July. Between 800 - 1,000 books were distributed in each of the past three summers.
SCRIPPS SPELLING BEE
VFL sponsors the annual Habersham County Scripps Spelling Bee. The top spellers from Habersham County's eleven elementary and middle schools compete for a chance to advance to the district, state and national Scripps Spelling Bees. In addition to providing funding for each elementary and middle school, VFL provides trophies which are awarded to all participants. Cash prizes provided by NowHabersham are awarded to the county spelling bee champ and runner-up. This community-wide event highlights the importance of literacy and VFL applauds the academic achievements of all Habersham County students who participate. Click here for more information about Scripps Spelling Bee.
2023 Champion - Fairview Elementary School 6th Grade student Patrick Schupp with Principal Michelle Wilbanks.
VFL sponsors the annual Habersham County Scripps Spelling Bee. The top spellers from Habersham County's eleven elementary and middle schools compete for a chance to advance to the district, state and national Scripps Spelling Bees. In addition to providing funding for each elementary and middle school, VFL provides trophies which are awarded to all participants. Cash prizes provided by NowHabersham are awarded to the county spelling bee champ and runner-up. This community-wide event highlights the importance of literacy and VFL applauds the academic achievements of all Habersham County students who participate. Click here for more information about Scripps Spelling Bee.
2023 Champion - Fairview Elementary School 6th Grade student Patrick Schupp with Principal Michelle Wilbanks.
LITTLE FREE LIBRARIES
VFL joined the national Little Free Library movement in 2013. This national program promotes reading by establishing book distribution points throughout communities worldwide. VFL partnered with the Demorest Downtown Development Authority to build and install Habersham County's first Little Free Libraries at Demorest Park and outside the Demorest Post Office on Grant Street. The Piedmont College Department of Education teamed up with VFL to serve as stewards of the libraries, ensuring the libraries are maintained and well-stocked with books for readers of all ages. Little Free Libraries also are located in Clarkesville's Pitts Park, Cornelia City Park, Baldwin City Park and at Level Grove Elementary School. In September 2019, four new LFLs were added by Clarkesville Boy Scout Troop 5 member Cameron Mote as his Eagle Scout project. They are located in Alto, Mt. Airy City Hall, Tallulah Falls City Hall and the Habersham County Health Department in Demorest. More recently, LFLs have been added at Baldwin, Cornelia, Fairview and Hazel Grove Elementary Schools, Habersham Senior Center, The Orchard, Clarkesville's Downtown Square, Tim Lee Boys and Girls Club and Woodville Elementary. TAKE A BOOK, LEAVE A BOOK...AND ENJOY HABERSHAM COUNTY'S LITTLE FREE LIBRARIES!
Click here for more information about Little Free Libraries.
VFL joined the national Little Free Library movement in 2013. This national program promotes reading by establishing book distribution points throughout communities worldwide. VFL partnered with the Demorest Downtown Development Authority to build and install Habersham County's first Little Free Libraries at Demorest Park and outside the Demorest Post Office on Grant Street. The Piedmont College Department of Education teamed up with VFL to serve as stewards of the libraries, ensuring the libraries are maintained and well-stocked with books for readers of all ages. Little Free Libraries also are located in Clarkesville's Pitts Park, Cornelia City Park, Baldwin City Park and at Level Grove Elementary School. In September 2019, four new LFLs were added by Clarkesville Boy Scout Troop 5 member Cameron Mote as his Eagle Scout project. They are located in Alto, Mt. Airy City Hall, Tallulah Falls City Hall and the Habersham County Health Department in Demorest. More recently, LFLs have been added at Baldwin, Cornelia, Fairview and Hazel Grove Elementary Schools, Habersham Senior Center, The Orchard, Clarkesville's Downtown Square, Tim Lee Boys and Girls Club and Woodville Elementary. TAKE A BOOK, LEAVE A BOOK...AND ENJOY HABERSHAM COUNTY'S LITTLE FREE LIBRARIES!
Click here for more information about Little Free Libraries.
