🎙 Episode 89: Keeping Kids Reading in Camden County

Host: Alison Shores
Guest: Mitch Blyler, Rotary Club of Camden County

In this powerful episode of the Get In Your Business Podcast, Alison Shores sits down with Mitch Blyler to discuss the Rotary Club of Camden County’s We Read program — a local initiative that provides children ages birth to five with a free book every month through Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.

The conversation highlights why early literacy is critical to long-term academic success. Children learn to read through third grade — and after that, they read to learn. If they fall behind early, it can impact their entire educational journey.

Mitch shares his personal connection to the program, explaining how his own daughter participated years before he even realized Rotary funded it locally. What started as a free book in the mail became a family tradition of reading together — and a passion for supporting literacy in Camden County.

But there’s a challenge.

The We Read program is:

100% locally funded

Not supported by Georgia state dollars

Approximately $32 per child per year

Serving nearly 300 children

Facing a growing waitlist of over 100 children

The Rotary Club is at a crossroads — and continued funding will determine whether the program can reopen enrollment and expand access.

The episode also explores:

What Rotary really does in Camden County

Hands-on service projects and local impact

Sponsorship opportunities for businesses

How younger professionals can get involved

Why supporting businesses that give back matters

This episode is a reminder that meaningful community change doesn’t require massive funding — sometimes it just takes $32 and a willingness to act.

Key Takeaways

✔ Early literacy sets the foundation for lifelong success
✔ The We Read program costs about $32 per child annually
✔ Local support is essential to keeping the program alive
✔ Rotary offers flexible ways to serve — including new satellite club options
✔ Businesses can sponsor multiple community events through Rotary

How to Support

📚 Sponsor a child
🤝 Become a business sponsor
💛 Donate to help reopen the waitlist

Visit: camdencountyrotary.org

About the Guest

Mitch Blyler serves with the Rotary Club of Camden County and has been a long-time advocate for community service and literacy. Through hands-on projects and fundraising efforts, he works to strengthen Camden County for future generations.

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