Shown are members of Altrusa, who assist Operation Read by labeling, sorting and delivering books to children in its Read to Grow program.
The Read to Grow program offers a book a month to children who are in financial need. Photo provided by DeeAnna Muraski.

By Lauren Zeugner
InkFreeNews

NORTH WEBSTER — There’s nothing like curling up with a good book and getting lost in the story.

For 29 years, Operation Read has strived to assist those ages 0-100 to discover that love of reading through its many programs.

One in particular is its Read to Grow program, which offers children a free book every month from birth to age 5. DeeAnna Muraski, executive director and CEO of Operation Read, explained Read to Grow is specifically geared toward families in financial need.

Muraski explained she works with community partners, such as Cardinal Services, Beaman Home, the Salvation Army and school backpack programs, where families have already signed up for services to find the children to participate in the program. A more recent partner is Child Protective Services.

Like all of Operation Read programs, Read to Grow serves all of Kosciusko County. Muraski said 85% of the children eligible for Read to Grow are currently enrolled. She’s still seeking to find the remaining 15% not in the program.

“I’d like that number to be 100%. We’d like to find them,” she said. She has learned people living in poverty tend to be very transient.

The program uses books from 4,000 publishers and include some familiar favorites, such as Dr. Seuss books and Little Golden Books.

“Rhyming is the best way to teach reading,” Muraski said explaining why Dr. Seuss continues to be a big hit.

Volunteers, such as teachers and others, help Muraski select the books.

Operation Read operates out of a classroom in North Webster Elementary School. Muraski opens cabinet after cabinet filled with books for specific ages. There are fun titles such as “My First Farm Words” and “My First Colors” for very young children.

Brystal Bowers shows off one of many the books children in the Read to Grow program may receive.
Bowers was named Operation Read’s Cutest Reader for the 2022/2023 school year. Photo provided by DeeAnna Muraski.

“We are so so grateful and thankful. They (Wawasee School Corp.) saw this as a great community value,” Muraski said.

Books for older children may have glossaries of terms in the back along with additional educational information to help parents discuss the books with their children.

The biggest expense for the Read to Grow program is purchasing the books — almost all of them are hardcover so they last — and shipping fees.

As part of the record keeping for the Read to Grow program, Muraski keeps track of which book every child has received. If there are siblings who are also in the program, they get a different book title.

“We try. It’s not perfect all the time,” Muraski said.

Volunteers from Altrusa help label the books, sort them and then deliver them to local service agencies, such as The Salvation Army or elementary schools. Parents pick up their children’s books or in the case of the backpack program, the book is sent home.

“I’ve been very very thankful for Altrusa coming in,” Muraski said. “It is a huge burden to do all this.”

According to 2022 numbers, Kosciusko County has 1,500 children under the age of 5. Of that 1,500, 790 are in financial need.

The Read to Grow program covers children in poverty up to 150% below the poverty level.

Having those books come in once a month does help those children with their reading.

Since working with community partners, Operation Read can track how they are doing with their reading.

“We realize how critical it is,” Muraski said. “You can make time for what you’re interested in. Books just open up whole new worlds.”

Studies have shown children, who have not mastered reading by the third grade, have a greater chance of not graduating from high school. Muraski has learned 86% of the youth in juvenile detention have reading problems, and she’s working on ways to address them.

“I have a great job. I’ve always loved books,” she said.

As the end of the year looms, Muraski is looking for both volunteers to help get the books to the children, as well as monetary donations. While some book publishers offer discounts for purchasing books in bulk, Muraski said it doesn’t happen often.

For more information on how to help, visit operationreadusa.org, email Muraski at [email protected] or call (574) 529-5783.

Books sorted by age wait to be distributed to children throughout Kosciusko County through Operation Read’s Read to Grow program. Photo provided by DeeAnna Muraski.