Volume 9, Issue 4

107 West Main Street Whiteville, NC 28472

October 2021

The mission of the Early Learning Facility (ELF) is to assist in the development of pre-literacy skills by promoting reading, writing, talking, singing, and playing for children ages birth to five.  ELF membership is required to check out resources from the lending library. Annual dues are just $5 for individuals; $10 for family childcare homes; $25 for child care facilities with less than 50 children and $30 for large centers and community organizations (We are temporarily suspending ELF membership fees to Columbus County child care facilities and family child care homes due to the pandemic; however, we will continue to charge for lamination & other materials. Membership fees may be waived for families experiencing hardships.)

You have access to over 3800 resources! The Early Learning Facility (ELF) has something for everyone; resource materials, including books for parents, curriculum books for teachers, children's books, theme boxes, puzzles, games, musical instruments, videos, CD’s, & more! The ELF is a lending library with thousands of items available for members to check out through our contactless curbside service. You may reserve resources, schedule curbside pick up and/or drop off by calling 910-212-6352.

If you are a child care provider who is in need of resources and books, we will deliver books & resources to you at your center! Call Jennifer @ (910) 212-6352 to schedule a time for a contactless curbside drop off delivery/pick up.

Smart Start Virtual Story Time Columbus County Partnership for Children (Smart Start), in collaboration with Whiteville City Schools as part of Let's Read! Columbus, invites you to Smart Start Virtual Story Time! Join us as we bring these stories to life! Access the stories at your convenience (24/7)! Read along if you have the books! New stories will be posted regularly! Access on Facebook @ColumbusSmartStart Access on the web @ www.columbussmartstart.com The stories are brought to you directly from the Smart Start Early Learning Facility!  (Written temporary permission has been granted by Penguin-Random House dated 08.26.20)

Meet the Author Remote Storytime with Aileen Valido Let's continue to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month as author Aileen Valido reads her book, "Who We Are" and tells you a little about her Cuban heritage. Take some time today to enjoy her book in English, Spanish or both and celebrate Hispanic Heritage month!

October is Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)/Sudden Unexpected Infant Death Awareness Month! Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is the unexplained death, usually during sleep, of a seemingly healthy baby less than a year old. SIDS is sometimes known as "crib death" because the infants often die in their cribs. Let's do everything we can to reduce this risk and prevent it! CDC Safe Sleep Video

Here is a link to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) SIDS page with a lot of good information to review that offers many ways for you to reduce your baby's risk of SIDS and sleep related causes of infant death. Click the picture below.

2021 Fire Prevention Week is October 3rd - 9th Here are some Tips for Fire Safety Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, outside sleeping areas and inside bedrooms. Test smoke alarms every month and if they are battery operated put new batteries in them. Talk with all family members about a fire escape plan and practice the plan twice a year. If a fire occurs in your home, GET OUT, STAY OUT and CALL FOR HELP. Did you know that the ELF has books & resources to use to teach your child(ren) about fire prevention and fire fighters? Call today to reserve your resources and let's teach our young children how to stay safe! Call Jennifer @ 910-212-6352 today to reserve yours!

The Partnership's inaugural golf tournament was a smashing success. A big thank you goes to everyone who came out to play, volunteer, or donate prizes for the players!

Click on the text box for the most up to date list of CCPC Staff Contact Information.

Amazon makes it SO EASY to donate to Columbus County Partnership for Children with each purchase you make. Here is how it works: Click the link (smile.amazon.com/ch/56-1966108) and choose Columbus County Partnership for Children as your charitable organization on the AmazonSmile "supporting" banner along the top left of the page. On your laptop or computer, visit smile.amazon.com and bookmark it to your favorites or sidebar. Use the AmazonSmile bookmark whenever you shop on Amazon. On your mobile device, visit smile.amazon.com and add it as a shortcut to your home screen. Amazon’s mobile apps don’t work with AmazonSmile so be sure to use the shortcut on your home screen to launch AmazonSmile in your mobile browser before purchasing the items in your cart.

Your donation is a great way to get involved with the community and the best way to make a difference in the future of a child. Columbus County Partnership for Children accepts donations of services, products, and monetary contributions. Donations are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.