Dear Reader,

In light of all the developmental opportunities that Vermont schoolchildren have missed due to Covid-19 safety restrictions, VTDigger is giving our readers the chance to support both our rigorous journalism and transformative children’s literacy programming during a crucial time.

If you can afford it, we’re asking you to become a member this April. Your gift will help support educational recovery for Vermont kids and help power our reporting on Covid-19 recovery efforts across the state.

This month, VTDigger is partnering with the Children’s Literacy Foundation (CLiF), a trusted nonprofit organization that provides engaging, high-quality programming and brand-new books to low-income, at-risk and rural Vermont children.

For each member donation we receive, we will send one book to a child. CLiF is using the books we raise through this drive for its summer reading programs. which are more important than ever this year. CLiF events take place across the state year round, bringing Vermont authors and illustrators to young audiences to inspire excitement around reading. As part of each event, CLiF distributes brand-new children’s books.

Oftentimes, even in normal years, the first book kids receive from CLiF is the first children’s book they’ve ever owned, says CLiF communications coordinator Erika Nichols-Frazer.

Already, our members have sent 500 new children’s books that will go to 500 Vermont kids who are at an even greater risk of growing up with low literacy skills due to Covid-19 impacts.

Our goal is 3,000 books. Can you help us hit 1,000 in by the end of the week?

Thank you for your readership and support,

Anne Galloway
Founder and Editor, VTDigger