SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb., – February 5 marked a milestone in the Cradle Catchers program when Delta Kappa Gamma President Rojean Sweeney delivered an autographed copy of Jan Brett’s book The Mitten for the 5000th baby to receive a book.

The “Cradle Catchers” program began January 1, 2008 as a collaborative effort of educators in Theta Chapter Delta Kappa Gamma Society, Lied Scottsbluff Public Library, Regional West Medical Center Birth and Infant Care, and the Panhandle Library System.

In the Cradle Catchers project each newborn baby receives a “Read to Me” yellow book bag with a rhyming board book, brochure on the importance of reading, alphabet/number bilingual bookmark, eye care chart, bright card listing Panhandle Libraries, and a coupon to take to their local library for a free “Read to Me” Sippy Cup. The 30 Panhandle Librarians in 14 counties then have an opportunity to orient parents to the local library and programs they offer for children and families.

Goals of the Cradle Catchers program include encouraging parents to read to their babies, teaching words, stories, and ideas; increasing awareness of the importance of taking children to the library at an early age; educating parents of the correlation between reading to a child and school success. It is important to bring the mother and her new baby into the library so they can see and understand the wealth of information and services the library provides.

The geographic area includes the Nebraska panhandle extending from North Platte, Neb., west into Wyoming, south into Colorado, and north into South Dakota. Reading to a baby sets the stage for a lifetime of literacy.

“The Birth and Infant Care center is proud to be a part of this program,” said Connie Rupp, director of Regional West’s Birth and Infant Care Center, “Programs like Cradle Catchers are a great opportunity to provide a service to new mothers.”

Children become readers when their parents read to them. It is as simple as that! Babies love to listen to the human voice. Literacy is the key to a child’s future! Reading is the key to education. It is a permanent investment in the future of our country. Reading together enhances parent/child relationships.

Theta Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma is sharing the benefits of reading to children.

For more information and donations please contact: Delta Kappa Gamma, Attn: Marcia Schlichtemier, P.O. Box 192 Scottsbluff, NE, 69363.

Regional West Health Services, Scottsbluff, Neb., is the parent company for Regional West Medical Center and Regional West Physicians Clinic. These organizations, with over 1,800 employees, provide comprehensive and innovative health care services for the people and communities of western Nebraska and the neighboring states of Colorado, South Dakota and Wyoming. With over 110 active physicians, 95 percent of whom are board certified or board eligible, plus an additional 25 consulting specialists, the Regional West family of health care organizations offers care that spans more than 30 medical specialties.