PURPOSE: The TelecomPioneers “Read to Me” kits are designed to reach newborns and literacy “at-risk” parents, stressing the importance of reading to children from birth and throughout childhood.  The first goal is to stress a parent-to-child, individualized approach in reading, thereby building book-reading habits.  The second goal is to encourage parents to obtain reading instruction and training for themselves in order to build their own reading skills.  TelecomPioneers “Read to Me” promotes and supports literacy throughout childhood and adulthood.

PROCEDURES: To distribute the kits, contact the agencies which serve the clientele you wish to reach.  Arrange for a time to leave a sample and to explain the work of the Pioneers and the purpose of the literacy project.  Determine how many layettes are needed according to the number of pregnant women who are deemed literacy “at-risk” by the agency. All of the materials are assembled and then the diaper is folded over the materials and pinned.  The diaper is then placed in the baggie with the congratulations/branding sheet placed between the diaper and the baggie.

BRANDING: Create the TelecomPioneers insert – create two per page of paper, copy and cut the page in two.  The insert should briefly explain the purpose of the kit, provide a brief explanation of the Pioneer organization, and prominently display the sponsoring company log and the Pioneer logo.  This insert should be of a professional quality.  For assistance with a master insert and for copies of approved camera ready logos, contact the TelecomPioneers Programs and Projects Manager, Kari Biesendorfer at (303) 571-9262.  The insert should be placed at the front of the baggie so that it is the first thing seen.