For Immediate Release

Book Harvest Contact: Benay Hicks, Chief External Relations Officer

857-225-5039

benay@bookharvest.org

---

Major Philanthropic Investment Brings Books from Birth to Thousands of Newborns at Maynard Children’s Hospital

Durham, N.C. (November 3, 2025) — Book Harvest announced today a three-year grant from an anonymous donor, made in partnership with the ChildTrust Foundation, to continue its Books from Birth program at Maynard Children’s Hospital, part of the ECU Health Foundation. This philanthropic investment will make it possible for more than 12,000 North Carolina newborns to leave the hospital with a Books from Birth starter home library over the next three years.

Launched in October 2024 with funding from the state of North Carolina and sponsored by Rep. Timothy Reeder, Books from Birth provides every newborn’s family at Maynard Children's Hospital in Greenville, NC with a starter home library of 10 new board books, educational materials, and a onesie. The initiative has already reached more than 3,400 families across 36 North Carolina counties. More than a quarter of these home libraries were provided to babies in the NICU.

“Books are a powerful tool for connection, learning, and development,” said Tara Stroud, Vice President of Women’s and Children’s Services at Maynard Children’s Hospital. “Our nurses see firsthand how these books help families bond with their babies. Especially in the NICU, where families may be with us for weeks or even months, parents cherish having stories to read to their baby during their hospital stay. The continuation of this program ensures every child has the opportunity to thrive from day one.”

“We are thrilled to support Books from Birth in eastern North Carolina,” said Cyndi Soter O’Neil, Director of Strategic Philanthropy at ChildTrust Foundation. “This initiative brings both joy and learning from the very beginning. There is no greater opportunity than at birth to build the literacy foundations that will last a lifetime. By ensuring every family takes home books for their newborn, we are investing in the lifelong potential of these children.”

“We are uplifted by the partnership with Maynard Children’s Hospital to make sure every single newborn is starting life with their own home library,” said Ginger Young, Founder and CEO of Book Harvest. “We aspire to make a starter home library a reliable and joyful part of every newborn’s journey, equipping parents with the tools to develop shared reading habits from Day One. This is a new early literacy standard of care for our country, and this transformative three-year philanthropic commitment allows us to continue building that foundation for families in eastern North Carolina. The funders who make this possible with their catalytic investments are heroes to us!”

“Early literacy opens doors that last a lifetime, and I was honored to help make this program possible,” shared Rep. Reeder. “This groundbreaking partnership between Maynard Children’s Hospital, ECU Health, and Book Harvest means every child will leave the hospital with their very first library—and a powerful start on their reading journey. I deeply appreciate the leadership and shared commitment of these remarkable organizations.”

Book Harvest’s Books from Birth initiative was recently honored with a 2025 Library of Congress Literacy Award, recognizing the organization’s work to ensure every child begins life surrounded by books. The award - one of only 15 given globally - celebrates Books from Birth as a model for how communities can advance early literacy and strengthen families from Day One.

About Book Harvest

Since 2011, Book Harvest has provided millions of books to children and families across North Carolina. The organization partners with families, schools, hospitals, healthcare providers, and community organizations to ensure that every child grows up with abundant home libraries of books that they own, and the opportunity to develop robust literacy skills, enabling them to succeed in school and in life. To learn more about Book Harvest, visit bookharvest.org . To learn more about Books from Birth, visit bookharvest.org/books-from-birth.

Access the Book Harvest brand guide, including logos, photos, and videos: https://bookharvest.org/media-kit/

About ChildTrust Foundation

The ChildTrust Foundation is a philanthropic organization dedicated to improving early childhood development and education across North Carolina, supporting evidence-based programs that foster equity and opportunity for all children.

About Maynard Children’s Hospital/ECU Health Foundation

Maynard Children’s Hospital, part of ECU Health Foundation, provides comprehensive pediatric care to families across eastern North Carolina. The hospital is committed to partnerships and programs that promote children’s health, learning, and development.

###