Book It (Virtual) 5K/10K

Center has become more critical. Since the pandemic, Angie Johnson, development director at The Emmanuel Center and a race organizer, says while its after-school program has been put on hold, its service to its community continues. After conducting a Family Needs Assessment, The Emmanuel Center has been delivering food boxes, books, educational activities and art supplies to its students. This summer they teamed up with Literacy Mid-South to deliver books, worksheets and journal prompts to participating K-5th grade students, along with providing incentives for The author with two of her kids – John Hudson and Joe Hudson (running) in 2012. completion.

Books from Birth (now part of Porter Leath) makes of working from home and home-schooling, making its mission to advance childhood literacy by delivering the time to read with children is even more important. a book a month to every child in the area from birth Porter Leath has also worked to provide additional to 5 years old. More than 46,000 children in Shelby literacy tips and tools to parents, and its staff has even County receive age-appropriate books in their homes at provided virtual online reading sessions. no charge to these families. Porter Leath’s Books from It’s hard to believe it has been 10 years since a Holy Birth program, in partnership with the Dolly Parton Communion parishioner had the idea for the 5K race. Imagination Library and Governor’s Books from Birth From the beginning, the Book It committee wanted Foundation, ensure that the books are mailed to each to offer a fun event for the community, involve the child every month. According to Darren Thomas, Books children from The Emmanuel Center in the race, and from Birth development director, during these times raise money and awareness for The Emmanuel Center and Books from Birth. Steve Maury, sponsorship chairman, said the race sells itself. “I tell the stories of The Emmanuel Center and Books from Birth, and people and companies sign on to be a sponsor. Paragon Bank, a longtime major sponsor of the race, pays the entry fee for Paragon employees and families to participate.” Many sponsors are stepping up again for the virtual race but there’s always room for more.

The start of the Book It 5K in 2016.