In looking over literacy rates by county in Alabama, Baldwin County’s is 4% higher than the state average (86%).

There could be a reason why this is so, and it might be due to a small group of volunteers that, through their work, sparks an interest in reading at a very early age—from birth. 

This group is called Friends of the Fairhope Library (or simply “Friends” or FoFl), and they have been quietly providing a fantastic service for newborns and their parents. Every Wednesday morning, this group of miracle workers meets upstairs in the library and busily works their magic. They make burp cloths, serge them, and then embroider them with the words “Read to Me.” They put these items in gift bags, which include 1-2 books suitable for newborns, and give the bags to new parents who have their babies at Thomas Hospital. What’s even more amazing is that they make and put together approximately 135 gift bags per month!

Phylis Fritchen is the coordinator of the Friends’ “RAISE-A-READER” project and allowed me to come and interview the volunteers as they sewed and embroidered the burp cloths. This particular morning, Friends volunteers Pat Nist, Marti Hash and Sandy Hill were focused on finishing the babies’ burp cloths, as Phyllis Fritchen showed me the various items that went into the gift bags.

“We include a board book or two, a booklet, a bookmark, a sample library card application and a sample library card,” Fritchen said as she glanced over the worktable. “We also add items from the Alabama Department of Public Health—fliers about the dangers to babies of secondhand smoke, babies’ sleeping safety and other information that new parents need to know.”

Fritchen said that many different organizations have made donations for the newborns’ gift bags project. “We get educational fliers from the Alabama Partnership for Children [based in Montgomery],” Fritchen explained. “Locally, the Fairhope Rotary [Noon] Club has provided us with blue bags with their gold symbol on the front.” When the gift items are ready to go to the Birth Center at Thomas Hospital, they are received by the Birth Center Leader, Victoria Nobles, RN. (As of press time, no quote from hospital staff was forthcoming.  

As she was embroidering a burp cloth, Marti Hash added this to Ms. Fritchen’s quotes: “There are many activities at the Library in addition to RAISE-A-READER that welcome volunteers, so calling the Library’s number is a good way to start.” 

Michael Neeley, who is president of the RAISE-A-READER program, had this to say about the volunteers and their work: “I am truly amazed by what [this group] accomplishes each month to support literacy for young children.”

To donate, enquire about volunteering, or for any other questions, contact the Library at 251.924.7483 or online at www.Fairhopelibrary.org.