Many of us can remember a favorite story that was read to us by a parent, sibling, family friend, or teacher. Those moments often leave a lasting impression – creating comfort, connection, and a love of learning that can last a lifetime.
Thanks to a $10,000 gift from the Agnesian HealthCare Foundation, more children in the Fond du Lac community will experience those same meaningful moments through the Reach Out and Read program, which has been supported by the Foundation for numerous years.
The Agnesian HealthCare Foundation’s investment will support the purchase of books for pediatric patients from birth through age five, ensuring that pediatric patients seen at SSM Health Fond du Lac Regional Clinic receive an age appropriate book during well‑child visits.
Physicians encourage families to read together at home, reinforcing the importance of early literacy as part of a child’s overall health and development.
“Reading aloud to young children is one of the simplest and most effective ways to support brain development, language skills, and emotional bonding,” according to Brenda Grass, MD, an SSM Health Fond du Lac Regional Clinic internal medicine/pediatric physician. “When we give families a book during a wellness visit, we’re not just providing a resource. We’re opening the door to learning, imagination, and connection during a child’s most formative years.”
Research shows that reading regularly to young children:
- Provides special, focused time between parents and children
- Encourages later reading success and school readiness
- Improves language and speech development
Through Reach Out and Read, books become part of routine pediatric care. Families leave each visit not only with guidance on physical health, but also with a tangible tool to support early learning at home.
The Agnesian HealthCare Foundation’s $10,000 gift reflects its commitment to strengthening families and investing in the future of the community.
“Programs like Reach Out and Read demonstrate how a relatively small investment can have an extraordinary impact,” says Mason Gravelle, Philanthropy Director for Agnesian HealthCare Foundation. “By funding books for children ages zero to five, we are helping families build strong foundations for learning while supporting long‑term educational and health outcomes.”
This gift was made possible through the Foundation’s Unrestricted Fund, which allows the Foundation Board to respond to emerging needs and priority initiatives across SSM Health ministries in the greater Fond du Lac area.
“The flexibility of the Unrestricted Fund enables us to support meaningful initiatives like Reach Out and Read when they matter most,” Gravelle adds. “It’s one of the most powerful ways donors can help us make a difference. The Agnesian HealthCare Foundation is proud to support this important work – helping ensure that great stories, and bright futures, begin right here in our community.”
A recent gift from the Agnesian HealthCare Foundation is supporting the Reach Out and Read program, which is utilized by SSM Health Fond du Lac Regional Clinic to benefit pediatric patients. Brenda Grass, MD, an SSM Health Fond du Lac Regional Clinic internal medicine/pediatric physician, is shown with Mason Gravelle, Philanthropy Director for Agnesian HealthCare Foundation.