The Children’s Reading Foundation national headquarters announced The Children’s Reading Foundation of Appalachia Kentucky as recipient of its 2018 Flagship Chapter award. The award honors a reading foundation chapter that demonstrates mission effectiveness, sustainability, board engagement and strong community support.

Debbie Knuckles, executive director of The Children’s Reading Foundation of Appalachia Kentucky, who has done a considerable amount of work in Bell County, along with chapter board members Dr. Tony Maxwell, Sue England, Lutricia Woods and Dr. Rick Mason, accepted the award on behalf of the chapter.

“We are forever grateful to our national organization and the road they continue to pave for us and other reading foundation chapters,” said Knuckles. “To be named the Flagship Chapter for 2018 is not only an honor, but it comes at a time when we find ourselves surrounded by possibilities, courtesy of our phenomenal partners such as Middlesboro Mall, Save the Children and E-CATCH of Bell County. We now stand prepared to lead the way in helping our families, schools and community apply all we have learned about the powerful role that parents play in a child’s learning from birth to age 8.”

The chapter is dedicated to helping promote the message, Read with a Child 20 Minutes Every Day, and engaging parents and caregivers in children’s early development to ensure every student succeeds in school and is reading on grade level by the end of third grade.

“We’re proud of our Appalachia Kentucky chapter and are proud to present them with this award to recognize the significant positive impact they are making for families in their community and surrounding areas,” said Kristin Norell, CEO of The Children’s Reading Foundation national organization.