2023 Celebrate Literacy Award

Posted: June 22, 2023

The 2023 Celebrate Literacy Award goes to Pat Johnson, a 20 year member of the Eastern Iowa Reading Council. Mrs. Johnson retired in 2014 after 25 years teaching junior kindergarten for West Delaware County Community School District. Since that time she volunteers in classrooms and spends hours reading to students during breakfast. She has written grants for little free libraries for three towns and keeps them stocked for all levels of readers. She wrote a grant for 120 kindergarten students to receive special books and has distributed used books to over 535 students. Pat is an outstanding volunteer who developed and coordinates her council’s “Children in Crisis” outreach project. For over 10 years she has thoroughly cleaned and repaired donated stuffed animals and matched them with picture story books. She then notifies organizations who then gift and distribute the matching animals and books to children in a crisis situation. Book sets go to organizations such as Head Start, WIC for Delaware County, Manchester Police Station, Lutheran Services for foster children, Parents as Teachers Program, Free Clothing Closet, and Operation Santa Claus. The many acts of kindness and empathy bring comfort and security to children in distress. Quote, “Pat is helpful, caring, passionate, resourceful, and happy to come to the aid of children in need. Pat’s skills, knowledge, willingness to help children on their literacy journey, and dedication to the promotion of literacy among children make Pat…” a perfect recipient of the Celebrate Literacy Award. (Janonne Robbins) Congratulations!

All News