Chiricahua Community Health Centers and Cochise ESA celebrate donation of over 2,500 books

Bruce Whetten bruce.whetten@myheraldreview.com

Back row from left Angelia Lopez, Dr. Jonathan Melk, Karl Griffor, Margarita Guevara, Denis Walto and front from left, Rachael Henry and Jacque Clay show off some of the 2,500 plus books Chiricahua Community Health Centers Inc. donated to the Reading Across Cochise County Initiative. Kevin Callison

DOUGLAS − Chiricahua Community Health Centers, Inc., in partnership with the Cochise County Education Service Agency,
recently donated 2,560 books to the Reading Across Cochise County initiative.

The event, which took place on Thursday, Jan. 30 at the Early Childhood Center of Douglas, highlights a shared commitment to
enhancing literacy rates amongst young students in Cochise County and ensuring that children have access to books both at
school and in their homes.

“As pediatricians we believe and we know from our research that the sooner we get books into the hands of our caregivers to
read to the infants, the better for the baby,” Dr. Jonathan Melk, CEO of Chiricahua, said.

“The magic is not necessarily the book, the content of the book or what the book is trying to message but it’s the interaction
between the baby and the caregiver.”

Melk added an actual paper book can never be replaced by a computer tablet or a cell phone.

“At Chiricahua we’re part of a program called Reach Out and Read where we provide a book to every child and their caregiver at six months,” he said.

Cochise County School Superintendent Dr. Jacqueline Clay said she has always had a great relationship with Chiricahua since 2019 before COVID.

“We’ve always had like interests, like focus and similar missions,” she said. “This (donation) is increasing who we are.

We have the like goals and it has to do with our kids either medically or mentally. I am so appreciative (of this donation).”

Clay said Rachael Henry is the lady behind Reading Across Cochise County.

“We have Reading Across Cochise County and Reach out and Read, two amazing programs coming together for the same purpose,”
Clay said. “Not only will this program be in Douglas, it will be across Cochise County.”

According to a press release from CCHCI, Chiricahua has long supported childhood literacy through the Reach Out & Read program.
“Reading Across Cochise County initiative aims to improve literacy for K-3 students,” the release states.

The Reading Across Cochise County initiative was developed by Clay, former Fort Huachuca Garrison Commander John Ives, and community leaders to address Cochise County’s lower-than-average literacy rates.
“Through this program, children can collect free books at participating businesses and receive prizes for reading, reinforcing strong literacy habits at an early age,” the press release states.