OGDENSBURG -- The People Project of St. Lawrence County, Inc. received a grant from the American Federation of Teachers’ Reading Opens the World Initiative, to purchase books and school supplies for local area schools.

Reading Opens the World is an initiative of the American Federation of Teachers’, a union of professionals who advocate for students, their families, and the community.

A portion of the funds were used to purchase a total of 3,000 books and school supplies, which included 800 new books, 250 backpacks, 200 highlighters, 550 pocket folders, 600 glue sticks, and 600 elementary school supply kits. The books and supplies were given to Ogdensburg, Morristown, Potsdam, Massena, Lisbon, Madrid Waddington, Parishville-Hopkinton, Clifton-Fine, Brushton Moira, Brasher Falls, Hammond, Heuvelton, and Edwards-Knox school districts.

Funds from the initiative will also be used to purchase companion books for the 123 SMILE Program and Community Health Center of the North Country’s Dental Sealant Program. The books focus on the importance of dental health and how to take care of your teeth.

The initiative focuses on equipping teachers and school staff with usable learning resources, self-management tools to support literacy, strengthening and creating new collaborative partnerships across all human service organizations, and ensuring free books be given to children and young people to “read, love and keep, because … Reading Opens the World!” For more information on the American Federation of Teachers’ Reading Opens the World initiative visit https://www.aft.org/read.

The People Project of St. Lawrence County also received several donations in addition to the grant from Operation Warm, American Federal of Teachers, Stewart’s Shops, and community members.

The People Project of St. Lawrence County distributed over 520 winter coats and other cold weather gear. This included 350 winter coats, 40 pairs of winter boots, 40 pairs gloves/mittens, 40 winter hats, 50 pairs of socks, sweatshirts, and other requested items. The winter supplies were distributed to school districts in Ogdensburg, Lisbon, Morristown, Edwards-Knox, Potsdam, Parishville-Hopkinton, Heuvelton, Hammond, Gouverneur, Canton, and Massena.

The People Project of St. Lawrence County, founded in 2015 received its 501(c)(3) status in October 2020 and is based in Ogdensburg.