Program prepares children for school

Face painting, hula hoops and an inflatable moon walk were the order Sunday afternoon at Warner Park as children and adults enjoyed free food, fun and learning as the United Way's Project Ready for School celebrated its fifth birthday.

Volunteers from the Chattanooga Fire Department, the Creative Discovery Museum and the United Way provided Sunday's activities. This is the fifth year the United Way has helped provide free monthly books to area children up to age five in partnership with Gov. Phil Bredesen's Books from Birth Foundation and Dolly Parton's Imagination Library.

"If a child went through the whole program from birth to age five, that would be 60 different books they would receive," said Kelly Nave, spokeswoman for the local United Way.

Ms. Nave said the books differ each month and vary from picture books with simple shapes and words to more complex story books.

"The books are selected according to the child's age and their expected developmental age," she said.

Buffi Wilson enjoyed the afternoon in the park with her daughter Tori, who participates in the book program.

"It's awesome," she said. "We've been doing that since she was born -- and she's four now. It's a great program."

Angela Favaloro came out Sunday to get a free developmental checkup offered by the United Way for her 2-year-old son Ian.

"And, he wanted to see the firetrucks," she said.

Ms. Favaloro said her son enjoyed the variety of books in the monthly program.

"It's nice. They send different books -- maybe different than we would pick ourselves," she said. "I think it's a good variety."

Dionne Jennings, also of Chattnooga, said the book program was a monthly highlight for her 3-year-old son Justin.

"We love it," she said. "He looks forward to those books every month."

Ms. Jennings said her son enjoyed playing in a firetruck, getting his face painted and throwing frisbees Sunday.

"It's really encouraging to have free events for the kids, where they can enjoy themselves," she said.