The Esther Pfleiderer Charitable Trust at 1st Source Bank recently awarded Kosciusko Literacy Services $1,000 to purchase ABC board books for babies born at Kosciusko Community Hospital. KLS’ Baby’s First Book program encourages early literacy development in the county’s youngest residents. Reading to a baby or young child helps the child’s brain to develop language and literacy skills, according to a press release from KLS. These skills make learning easier when the child enters school. In addition to an English or a Spanish-English book, the new family receives information on early literacy development, tips on reading to children, and library information including an application for the baby’s first library card at the Warsaw Community Public Library. KLS Executive Director Cindy Cates stated that KLS appreciates all the good The Esther Pfleiderer Charitable Trust does for Kosciusko County, the collaboration between KLS and the Warsaw Community Public Library, and the obstetric nurses and staff who distribute the books and information to new families. The Esther Pfleiderer Charitable Trust was established by Esther Pfleiderer to assist charitable organizations located in Kosciusko County in improving the quality of life in the county. Pfleiderer was born and raised in Warsaw and taught math for 39 years in the Warsaw school system. She also was very active in the community serving on the boards of the Salvation Army, Warsaw Community Public Library, Kosciusko County Community Foundation, Kosciusko County Historical Society and the ministries of the First Presbyterian Church. In 1982, she was recognized as Warsaw’s Woman of the Year. Grant applications are available from 1st Source Bank Personal Asset Management Group offices at 120 S. Lake St., Warsaw. The next deadline for applications for grants is Sept. 30. For more information, contact John Elliott at 574-268-1207.
