By By MARCIA STEFFENS / Niles Daily Star
NILES – An early love of books may mean a lifetime of learning.
The nation's oldest and largest childhood literacy organization is active right here in Niles, as today youngsters at Northside Child Development will each be getting a free book to take home and keep.
The program is RIF, Reading is Fundamental, according to teacher Dawn Sparks.
Each year, a proposal must be submitted to receive the grant money which allows the students to receive three books a year. This is the ninth year Northside has participated. More than 950 books have been given out.
"We are thankful that we have had this opportunity to positively impact the children in our community," Sparks said.
They love being able to pick out their own, Sparks added.
Traditionally, one family also takes time out of their schedule to come and entertain the children, reading and acting out stories.
Wednesday, Jeff and Mary Neumann of Niles brought their daughter Amber this year and delighted the children while they wore different hats and made the stories come to life.
Giggling, Mr. and Mrs. Bird, portrayed by students Madison Christie and Isaiah Moffit, ran around the room looking for materials to build a new nest.
Congressman Fred Upton, who makes visits to schools in his district weekly, is a strong supporter of the program.
"As you know, early childhood literacy begins in the home and research has proven that early exposure to books is essential in developing crucial language skills that will last a lifetime," Upton said in a press release.
In 2007, RIF provided more than 4.6 million at risk children and their families free books. In Michigan 165,000 children received books.
According to RIF, now in its 40th year, for many it is the first book these children have ever owned.