Dana Point Woman's Club Provides Grant to Summer Reading Program

Dana Point Woman's Club held a delightful Cinco de May0-themed lunch on Thursday May 5 at their local Clubhouse, Community House on San Juan Avenue. "Taco Gal" Ana of Tacos Cisneros wowed the crowd with 3 homemade taco choices and all the trimmings. C0-Presidents Betty Hill and Karin Marsh led the packed meeting schedule which included the usual Board reports and DPWC updates, a presentation of Project Scholarship awards (please read details here), and during dessert, featured speaker, Laura Blasingham of Dana Point's Orange County Public Library Branch.

Members enjoyed an engaging talk by Branch Manager, Ms. Blasingham, focusing on the library’s popular Children's Summer Reading Program. DPWC awarded $1,000 to the worthy program.

Laura Blasingham made a power point presentation to DPWC members, describing the 7-week summer program that is designed to encourage reading. It is particularly focused on reluctant readers who often attend for all the fun activities (bubble making, "drive in" movies in kid-designed cardboard "cars", balloon animal adoptions, toddler disco parties and more) and acquire some reading or readiness skills in the process. Adding to the fun, kids can participate in a reading challenge through the MYOCPL (My OC Public Library) App, earning badges by completing each day's simple task.

This year's program, "Read Beyond the Beaten Path" will be held from June 13th to July 30th, and kids of all ages are encouraged to participate on line through the app as well as in person for fun and free activities each day. The program is free of charge and completely ad hoc. Kids are encouraged to come each day, or whenever they can, depending on vacation and activity schedules. Parents are encouraged to check the OC Public Library website for more details and a calendar of events.

Ms. Blasingham expressed gratitude for DPWC's ongoing support and enjoyed the festive Cinco de Mayo lunch hosted by the Club. DPWC Co-President Betty Hill said, "This is such a wonderful program for kids of all ages. We're thrilled to be able to once again support literacy, one of our main causes, by contributing to such a fun and educational endeavor."