Mariah Bennett reads with her seven-month-old son Dustin. Dustin loves his new book. Mariah enjoys reading and knows the importance of regular reading to Dustin. Reading to preschoolers is an essential component leading to success in school.

KOSCIUSKO — The Esther Pfleiderer Charitable Trust at 1^st Source Bank recently awarded Kosciusko Literacy Services $1,000 to purchase books for Read to Grow Children’s Book Club and ABC board books for babies born at Kosciusko Community Hospital. 

Kosciusko Literacy Services’ Baby’s First Book program encourages early literacy development in the county’s youngest residents.  Reading to a baby or young child helps the child’s brain to develop language and literacy skills.  These skills make learning easier once the child enters school.  The family receives information on early literacy development, tips on reading to children, and library information including an application for the baby’s first library card at the Warsaw Community Public Library.  Baby’s First Book also provides information on Read to Grow Children’s Book Club, which provides a new book each month to eligible preschool children in the county. 

Along with other early literacy initiatives, Read to Grow Children’s Book Club has shown positive results.  The passing rate of the Third Grade ISTEP Language Arts for the Free and Reduced Lunch Program in Kosciusko County is over 6 percent higher than that of the state, while the paid lunch rate less than 1 percent higher.  Kosciusko Literacy Services’ Read to Grow Children’s Book Club has served Kosciusko County as a United Way partner program since 2006.

The Esther Pfleiderer Charitable Trust was established by Esther Pfleiderer to assist charitable organizations located in Kosciusko County in improving the quality of life in the county.  Born and raised in Warsaw, Pfleiderer taught math for 39 years in the Warsaw school system.  She also was very active in the community serving on the boards of the Salvation Army, Warsaw Community Public Library, Kosciusko County Community Foundation, Kosciusko County Historical Society, and the ministries of the First Presbyterian Church.  In 1982, she was recognized as Warsaw’s Woman of the Year.  Grant applications are available from 1st Source Bank Personal Asset Management Group offices at 325 South Lake Street in Warsaw.  The next deadline for applications for grants is Sept. 30.  For more information, contact 1st Source Bank at (574) 268-1207.