Concept: To encourage family reading and by doing so, develop language skills necessary for success in school and life, by providing books and information to parents of young children, ages zero to five.

Contents of Packets:

1. The packet should be in a large Ziploc Bag. Gallon zip lock bags can be purchased from most grocery stores. Your club chairperson should ask their favorite store for a free (donation of) purchase card. (My P&C gave me a $10 card. Wal-Mart also gives cards.) On the outside of the zip lock bag, place a Kiwanis sticker. Below the Kiwanis emblem on the sticker, place Marlene's special "Dream Catcher" sticker depicting a young mother and father reading to a child, and children of many different ethnic backgrounds atop a dream catcher. (Available from Marlene).
2. A nursery rhyme book or other book suitable for children ages birth to five. Books of this quality can be purchased for as little as $5.00, especially on sale. It would be nice if every Kiwanis member could make a packet.
3. A bookmark with the story of the "Dreamcatcher" on it.
4. An index card, explaining why reading to very young children is so important. (Available from Marlene)
5. A bookplate – to be placed inside the front or back cover. (Also available from Marlene) This bookplate will tell that the book is a gift of your Kiwanis Club and for more information to call (you place the name of a member and their telephone number.) It also ads that if an adult in your life would like help with reading, they can call (a local number your club provides for Literacy Volunteers or another such agency in your area.)
6. Kiwanis information in the form of the accordion style card (available from Kiwanis International) that explains the purpose of Kiwanis.
7. A library application form, available from your local library, to allow the parents to continue reading to their children.
8. Optional: A small Dreamcatcher. (If you would like, your club can purchase small dreamcatchers for $24 a dozen, from: The Northern Door Trading Post, 6142 S. Salina Street Syracuse, N.Y. 13205 Phone: (315) 378-0025; Sheila Escobar is the owner.)

Every club completing the project will receive a First Lady's Dreamcatcher Banner Patch.

This information and the qualifcation form can be downloaded:

• Project Information
• Qualification Form