The Radnor Moms group of Wayne donated more than 300 children's books, as well as puzzles and games and art supplies in December. ACLAMO teachers Linda Maldonado and Marla Benessy plan to give many of the books to their students as Christmas gifts, while others will restock classroom libraries and be used for literacy activities. The children's mothers who are learning English also benefit from reading the books with their children. "Many families do not have any books at home," Linda said. "We always need children's books." One of the 40 moms in the Radnor Moms group, Mandy MacDonald, and her daughter, Greta, coordinated the book drive.

Please consider donating children's books to ACLAMO next time you sort through your bookshelves.

In partnership with the Montgomery County Health Department, the Pottstown Area Health and Wellness Foundation, and Susquehanna Bank, ACLAMO provided free flu shots for 61 people during the fourth-annual clinic on October 25 at our Pottstown center.

 "We recognize the long-term benefits of this preventive measure, especially for our typically underserved community," said Glendalys Delgado, ACLAMO case manager. 

PROGRAM SPOTLIGHT:

Aetna Foundation Funds Health Literacy 

Inez Hernandez recently found herself in a crisis as she took her 7-year-old son to see a doctor with a high fever, sore throat and earache. For someone with limited English, a simple trip to the doctor can seem insurmountable.

Stories of success told by the families, staff and supporters of ACLAMO helped raise over $17,000 during our second-annual "Faces of Hope" fundraiser. More than 200 attended the breakfast held in October at the Jeffersonville Golf Club in Norristown.

"The economy has made fundraising more challenging for non-profits, and donations are more critical than ever," said Juan Guerra, ACLAMO Executive Director. "Everyone is feeling the effects, yet people continue to be generous in their support."

Maryanne Hoskins, Principal of Whitehall Elementary School in Norristown, told of her long association with ACLAMO and said the children who participate in our programs are measurably better prepared for kindergarten and beyond.

Their parents also benefit from ACLAMO's early childhood education and literacy program, which is called Even Start. By learning English and life skills, the mothers are better prepared to help their children and families maintain good health and succeed in school. 

"We are encouraged to see ourselves as the primary educators of our children," said ESL student Inez Hernandez, whose 4-year-old daughter, Mayren, is in the Even Start program. Her son, Jaiffer, who graduated from the Even Start program, has excelled in first grade. "This fills us with joy and we understand the great support offered by the program," Hernandez said, in English, during the breakfast.

ACLAMO also has an "ESL After-School Tutoring and Enrichment" program that serves 50 children in kindergarten through the 7th grades, providing a healthy snack and homework help in a safe, fun environment. 

Jimmy Murray, former general manager of the Philadelphia Eagles and a founder of the Ronald McDonald House, is a member of ACLAMO's volunteer Board of Directors. "ACLAMO really is the heart of the community," said Murray, the event's keynote speaker.