COOPERS MILLS — Scholastic has donated more than 100 hardcover books to Carol’s Corner at Sheepscot Valley Health Center, according to a news release from HealthReach Community Health Centers.
Carol’s Corner offers free books to young readers at the center and was established after Carol Eckert, a beloved physician and community member, passed away in a cycling accident on her 63rd birthday.
Dr. Leslie Blum, a physician with Premise Health who worked with Eckert for some time, facilitated the donation from Scholastic after reaching out to Dr. Roy Miller, the now-retired physician from the center.
Scholastic, the global children’s publishing, education and media company, heads up multiple philanthropic endeavors that not only support schools in need across the U.S. in a number of ways, but also contribute to and lead national literacy initiatives “to better prepare children for reading and learning” and “provide donations of quality books to children in underserved communities.”
Sheepscot Valley Health Center Inc., the community board of the health center, has hosted program fundraisers responsible for generating upwards of $1,000. “Doing (this program) in memory of Carol has helped all of us heal. With each book that’s added to the bookshelf, I can’t help but think of her and how happy she would be that we’re providing kids with books,” said project organizer Julie Bailey, according to the release.
Eckert was a physician at the center for more than 30 years and specialized in family practice. She was known for her own philanthropic pursuits — where she served as medical director of the Maine Community Accountable Care Organization and was a medical consultant for Social Security Disability Services, among other endeavors for Maine people.
HealthReach Community Health Centers is a group of 11 federally qualified health centers in Central and Western Maine. Dedicated providers deliver high quality medical and behavioral health care to citizens in more than 80 rural communities. To ensure access for everyone, HealthReach accepts Medicare, MaineCare and major insurances. In addition, an Affordable Care Program is available to uninsured and underinsured residents as well as assistance with applications for programs that help with the cost of health care and medications including the Health Insurance Marketplace. A private, non-profit celebrating a 44-year history, HealthReach is funded by patient fees, grants and individual donations, according to the release
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