DeSoto County Ahead: Connecting with Excellence

On January 13, The Patterson Foundation (TPF) hosted the DeSoto County Ahead resource fair, dinner, and community update, with over 540 people registered. More than 90 exhibitors delivered information and shared resources, and the engagement of attendees of all ages resonated throughout the Turner Event Center in Arcadia. From the resource fair to the dinner and program presentation, the event focused on the needs and passions of the DeSoto community.

The Suncoast Campaign for Grade-Level Reading (SCGLR) initiative was a key exhibitor with a booth focused on iconic bear books, including Paddington Bear, Winnie the Pooh, and Corduroy. The message to families was that reading together strengthens families and sets children on a path to lifelong learning. The SCGLR booth was cleverly decorated, featuring two light-up bear sentries, several stuffed animals, and a cozy book nook filled with bear-themed stories and books aligned with the display—inviting children and caregivers to pause, browse, and enjoy a special reading moment together. Conversations were rich at this event, and many connections were made with community members and organizations.

While the discussions were many, several engagements highlight the excitement of the work in and for DeSoto County:

• A pregnancy resource center recently opened in Arcadia, and their representatives were excited to learn about our programs, especially the free Vroom app. Vroom provides parents and caregivers with various brain-building activities for children ages newborn to 5 years old and shares the science behind the developmental purpose of each activity.
  
  
• A former intensive reading teacher from the community asked about opportunities to encourage students to develop a love of reading. She was excited to hear about the THIS BOOK IS COOL! and THIS BOOK IS COOL in School programs that encompass that same goal.
  
  
• A community member appreciated our goals and aspirations as she herself read at a second-grade level. She shared that she is working with her granddaughter and was also excited to learn about the Vroom application.
  
  
• A couple with four-year-old twin boys were excited to learn about both THIS BOOK IS COOL! and SCGLR’s Kindergarten Readiness Bag program. Through the generosity of The Patterson Foundation, every incoming Kindergartener across our four-county region receives a Kindergarten Readiness Bag—filled with early learning resources and a high-quality book—to help families begin the school year feeling confident, prepared, and supported. Each bag also includes simple, family-friendly instructions that show caregivers how to use the materials in playful, meaningful ways at home. Inside, families will find magnetic upper-case and lower-case letters, an alphabet chart, flashcards, a numbers chart, a scribble pad, large crayons, and an age-appropriate, high-quality book.
  
  
• The SCGLR bookcase was also popular as children debated whether they wanted a book on dinosaurs or llamas, or which bear was their favorite. There’s something truly special about watching a child choose a book and realize it is theirs to keep—many proudly clutching their selections, eager to turn pages, share with a sibling, or read with a grown-up at home. The “Sea Otters” book from National Geographic turned out to be a favorite of many of the elementary-aged kids!

There were many snuggles with the giant teddy bear in the booth (both by children and adults!), and the lighted teddy bear nutcrackers served as a beacon to all who attended. The DeSoto County Ahead Community Update facilitated connections between various organizations and the people of DeSoto County. We left knowing that “Reading together is a beary, beary good idea!”