By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
Many television viewers around the area are already aware of educational daytime programming on Smoky Hills PBS. Fewer are aware of the station's Literacy Leadership Program. Smoky Hills recently received a $2,000 grant from the Golden Belt Community Foundation, and Marketing Director Amanda Smith said that will allow Smoky Hills to continue its First Book Club.
"Through our partnership with the Golden Belt Community Foundation, the funds they give us, we are able to provide free books to children enrolled in preschool in Barton, Pawnee, and Rush counties," Smith said. "This is something we're able to do every year because of the Golden Belt Community Foundation."
Children enrolled in preschool or Head Start programs in those three counties are eligible to sign up for free books. The books will be distributed in the winter, spring, and fall semesters of 2023.
"It's a great thing to provide free books to those communities because, in some cases, these will be the only books children have at home," said Smith. "So to be able to provide them with these free books is definitely a great thing, and we are so happy we are able to partner with the Golden Belt Community Foundation to make this happen."
The Golden Belt Community Foundation was established in 1996 to provide non-profit organizations in Barton, Pawnee, Rush, and Stafford counties with a permanent source of support. Smoky Hills PBS serves 71 counties in Central and Western Kansas.