JACKSONVILLE, FL — In a major investment toward early childhood literacy, the Gate Foundation has donated $1 million to support The Mayor’s Book Club, a newly revived and expanded program aimed at providing free books to four-year-olds across Jacksonville.
Mayor Donna Deegan and former Mayor John Peyton announced the donation Thursday at City Hall, marking a partnership that bridges administrations and reinforces the city’s commitment to children’s literacy. The funding will ensure every four-year-old in Jacksonville receives a free book each month for the next four years, either by mail or through childcare centers.
“When John launched his book club nearly two decades ago, he planted a powerful seed,” said Mayor Deegan. “Today, we’re helping that seed grow into something extraordinary.”…