The Rio Rancho School Employees Union and United Health Professionals of New Mexico partnered this weekend to distribute nearly 30,000 free children’s books to students, families and educators at Ernest Stapleton Elementary School.
The book distribution was part of the American Federation of Teachers’ national “Reading Opens the World” campaign, which aims to strengthen public schools and address learning loss, loneliness and literacy.
UHPNM and the Rio Rancho School Employees Union are AFT affiliates. The books were donated through AFT’s First Book program, which has distributed more than 10 million books nationwide.
“We are thrilled to host this community event, which brought together the Rio Rancho Police Department, Rio Rancho Fire Department, Nurses Health Professionals, Rio Rancho School Employees Union members and Sundance Dental to promote literacy, health and safety,” said Adrienne Enghouse, RN, Representative for United Health Professionals of New Mexico. “This collaboration reflects our shared commitment to supporting and uplifting our community.”
The Jan. 12 event also featured free health screenings and activities for young students and their families.
Families could take up to 10 books per student, with a maximum of 30 books per family. Teaching staff could select up to 50 books for their classrooms.
In addition to books, the event offered:
- Health Screenings and Safety Demonstrations:
- Nurses and health professionals from UHPNM provided blood pressure screenings.
- Dental staff offered dental care tips and education.
- Firefighters and police officers taught safety tips.
- Family-Friendly Activities:
- The “Tales of Joy” reading room which featued therapy dogs.
- Craft stations, including “Swifty-bracelet” making and a life-sized poster creation area.
Over 240 volunteers spent Saturday unloading books and setting up the event.