Editor's note: The following was submitted by Don Nigus with the Community Foundation of Northeast Kansas

Brown County, Kansas schools plan for participation in the “Read Across the Globe” initiative October 19th as part of an international celebration of President George H.W. Bush’s 25th anniversary celebration of his Points of Light initiative.

The celebration will include an effort to enlist thousands of volunteers to break the Guinness Book of World Records listing for the number of children being read to in a 24 hour period.  The Points of Light’s purpose of this initiative,” … is to make an impact on literacy - by coming together through the power of volunteerism, we will shed a light on the issue of illiteracy in our world today and take steps to close the literacy gap with knowledge and action.”

Brown County school and community personnel involved will be:  Hiawatha Elementary School  4th Grades - Tom Schmitz, Principal; Andy Runer, Kelsey Lee, Jamie Milam, Teachers; Annette Wilson, Community Foundation of North East Kansas; HHS Student Volunteers.  At the Horton Elementary School:  4th Grade Reading Specialist, Josh Harper; Judy Dickman, Principal; and Emily Lednicky, Community Garden Network Coordinator; Horton FFA Chapter Volunteers, Abby Ross and Kyle Hutfles.  At the Kickapoo Nation School: Principal, Debra Turner and 3rd and 4th Grade Teacher, Carla Goodwin; Don Nigus, Community Foundation of North East Kansas, volunteer, will provide the initiative.

The book selected to be read aloud at elementary schools by volunteers, local FFA Chapter members and high school students is, "Farmer Will Allen and the Growing Table."  The story is about Farmer Will, a former basketball star that looked at an abandoned city lot and saw a huge table, big enough to feed the whole world. But what is most special about Farmer Will is that he can see what others can't see…  no space, no problem. Poor soil, there's a solution. Need help, found it. Farmer Will is a genius in solving problems.

Jacqueline Briggs Martin, author tells the inspiring story of an innovator, educator, and community builder. Combined with artist Eric Larkin's striking artwork, readers will share Will Allen's optimism and determination to bring good food to every table.

The Community Foundation of Northeast Kansas, Brown County Healthy Foods Coalition, and NEK Community Garden Network is providing multiple copies of the book to each elementary school and public libraries in Brown county as part of their initiative to improve greater access to healthy food and healthy living in the community. 

The Kansas Health Foundation has supported the various components of this access to healthy foods effort in Brown County since July of 2013.