Jason Futch
reporter2.riverbendnews@gmail.com
The Hamilton County non-profit organization All Our Kidz will be hosting a Literacy Night at McDonald's, located at 2964 CR 136, in White Springs on Wednesday, Feb. 19. The guest speaker for the evening will be Marjorie Cooks, who is a school safety and mental health specialist with the Hamilton County School District.
Kizzie Burch, founder of All Our Kidz, shared that the program is an effort to bring children together to read and improve on their studies. "It's a way for kids to come out, read a book and do their homework," Burch said. She added that the event is also a way to encourage higher test scores.
Symone Cooks, who manages the White Springs McDonalds, allowed the group to host its first Literacy Night in January. Cooks shares Burch's vision, as her partner, Alvin Hawkins, wanted to see more children come together and read. Sadly, Hawkins passed away in 2024. "It's a way to keep his memory alive," Burch said.
During the first Literacy Night event, students got together to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, while Hamilton County School Board member Johnny Bullard recited Dr. King's "I Have a Dream" speech. Community leaders were present during the first event, which saw 30 kids from Suwannee, Hamilton and Columbia Counties.
To encourage more attendees, Burch said that McDonalds will be providing free meals to kids who participate in literacy night. Additionally, any student who brings the most "new students" with them will win a Kindle Fire.
For more information about the upcoming Literacy Night, visit the group’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/allourkidzinc.