Almac Group partners with Reach Out and Read at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia to distribute 6,000 books at CHOP Primary Care, Souderton

Funding by Almac will help distribute thousands of books to local families during well-child visits at CHOP Primary Care, Souderton location

In celebration of World Book Day this April 23, Almac Group is pleased to fund Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia’s (CHOP) award winning, national Reach Out and Read programme serving the Primary Care, Souderton location for one year, effective immediately.

Almac’s backing will allow Reach Out and Read at CHOP to procure 6,000 books to be distributed by medical providers at CHOP Primary Care, Souderton to all patients ages newborn to five during well-child visits. As an early literacy intervention programme, the Reach Out and Read model enables physicians and nurse practitioners to use the books as a developmental surveillance tool during well-visits and as a springboard for conversations with parents about the importance of reading aloud, all while building home libraries for children no matter their financial resources.

As a celebration of World Book Day and the launch of this partnership, a volunteer activity at Almac is set for April 23 for employees to help prepare over 1,000 books for the inaugural book delivery. 

“Almac is thrilled to promote the importance of equitable access to literacy this World Book Day through our support of Reach Out and Read at CHOP,” said Valarie Higgins, Managing Director and President of Almac Clinical Technologies. “Recognising how vitally important early literacy skills are for childhood development, we applaud CHOP’s incredible efforts to make this award winning programme accessible in Greater Philadelphia.”

“Reach Out and Read’s mission to support healthy brain and social/emotional development in children through reading directly aligns with Almac’s mission to advance human health, as well as our commitment being an enduring example of corporate social responsibility here in Souderton,” added Mark Rohlfing, Vice President of Operations, Almac Clinical Services. “We are thrilled to assist CHOP through this sponsorship to benefit patients in this community.”

“We are so thankful for Almac’s generous donation to Reach Out and Read at CHOP Primary Care, Souderton. The children excitedly anticipate a new book at each well check which develops their love of reading at a very young age,” said Kathy Filograna, MD, Regional Medical Director, CHOP Primary Care Network and Medical Director, CHOP Primary Care, Souderton. “With this donation, our families will have the opportunity to curl up with a good book, read to their children, while expanding their imaginations and developing those important early literacy skills.”

Endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics as the sole evidence-based national pediatric programme centred on emotional bonding, Reach Out and Read annually serves more than 4.4 million children in every state across the U.S., delivering services through 6,200 clinics and leveraging the expertise of 36,000 clinicians. Through the CHOP Primary Care Centers, Reach Out and Read will serve at least 93,000 young children, ages newborn through 5 years, and distribute at least 160,000 brand-new, age-appropriate books this year.