Blog post by: Jordan Montgomery, Yankees Pitcher and former Gamecock

I recently learned about Reach Out and Read Carolinas through my volunteer work at Palmetto Health Children’s Hospital.

Reach Out and Read Carolinas helps build home libraries for over 200,000 children in South Carolina. More than 800 doctors and nurses use a book as a tool at well-child visits to assess child development, and support and guide parents in the importance of reading regularly with their children, every day. I think it’s awesome that providers send families home with a prescribed book to read together.

The book that children get at their check up from their doctor also helps build home libraries for many children who might not have access to books at home.

I’ve always enjoyed reading and I know how important literacy is to success in education and life. Growing up, one of my favorite books was “How Many Trucks Can a Tow Truck Tow?” by Charlotte Pomerantz. Partnering with Reach Out and Read Carolinas is a great opportunity to share my love for reading with South Carolina communities that played a big part in my life and success.

Please consider joining my Virtual Book Drive and Help Fill the Shelves in the following clinics: Sumter Pediatrics; Palmetto Health Children’s Hospital Outpatient Center in Columbia; Sterling Sharpe Pediatrics in Columbia; and, Franklin C. Fetter Community Health Center in Summerville.