Every Baby Deserves Their First Book: Books for Babies Expands to Prosser Memorial Hospital

The Children's Reading Foundation of the Mid-Columbia (CRFMC) is proud to announce the expansion of its Books for Babies program to Prosser Memorial Hospital, ensuring that every newborn in the Prosser community goes home with their very first book, free of charge.

Books for Babies delivers high-quality, bilingual board books directly to new families at the hospital. The program is rooted in a simple and powerful message: reading, talking, and bonding with your baby from birth builds the brain connections children need to learn, grow, and succeed in school and in life.

CRFMC made its first delivery to Prosser Memorial on November 10, bringing 165 books to the birthing center. Every single one has since been placed in the hands of a new family since then.

"Every child deserves to start life with a book," said Leanne Luehrs-Purcell, Executive Director of CRFMC. "Expanding Books for Babies to Prosser Memorial means more families across our region will begin their parenting journey knowing that reading together matters, and that they have the tools and encouragement to do it."
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Prosser Memorial Hospital joins Kadlec Birthing Center, Trios Birthing Center, and Columbia Birthing Center as Books for Babies program partners, extending the program's reach to families throughout the Mid-Columbia region. All materials are provided in both English and Spanish at no cost to families or to the hospital.