JACKSONVILLE, FL — In a major investment toward early childhood literacy, the Gate Foundation has donated $1 million to support The Mayor’s Book Club, a newly revived and expanded program aimed at providing free books to four-year-olds across Jacksonville.
Mayor Donna Deegan and former Mayor John Peyton announced the donation Thursday at City Hall, marking a partnership that bridges administrations and reinforces the city’s commitment to children’s literacy. The funding will ensure every four-year-old in Jacksonville receives a free book each month for the next four years, either by mail or through childcare centers.
“When John launched his book club nearly two decades ago, he planted a powerful seed,” said Mayor Deegan. “Today, we’re helping that seed grow into something extraordinary.”
The program will be administered by the Kids Hope Alliance. Details on how families can register will be announced in the coming weeks.
The initiative builds on the success of Mayor Deegan’s River City Readers program, which has logged over 3 million minutes of reading citywide and recently contributed to third-grade reading scores in Duval County rising above 50%.
“This is more than just a book club. It’s a bridge between administrations and a bipartisan investment in our children’s future,” said Deegan.
Former Mayor Peyton added, “I’ve always believed in the power of books to change lives. Every child in Jacksonville deserves the chance to discover the joy of reading.”
The Mayor’s Book Club aims to foster a lifelong love of reading and support school readiness for the city’s youngest learners.
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