Metro East Literacy Project

05/15/2026

It’s such a joy to give families books. It’s great when the directors of these childcare facilities are so enthusiastic about giving their families the gift of literacy . Listen to what Miss Kyra has to say. She’s the director of Lapetite Academy in Shiloh, Illinois.,
Linda Edmonds Mitchell@ Illinois Humanities Navigation Church State Representative Kevin Schmidt East Side Aligned I Am East St. Louis, The Magazine Cahokia Public Library Adventures with Rita Childcare and STEAM Academy Fairmont City Library Six Mile Regional Library District O'Fallon Area Habitat for Humanity Valerie Young Odell Mitchell Jr. Metro East Literacy Project Kyra Morgan

05/15/2026

Freedom Friday Message 📚

Have you ever started a book and realized it just wasn’t for you? Don’t let that discourage you.

In today’s Freedom Friday Message, we’re sharing this powerful quote from Franz Kafka, author of The Metamorphosis.

It’s okay to stop reading a book that doesn’t connect with you. Sometimes, finding the right genre or story can awaken curiosity, inspire new ideas, and help us feel understood.

What book has truly sparked your interest? Share with us in the comments!

Linda Edmonds Mitchell Friends of the O'Fallon Public Library Navigation Church State Representative Kevin Schmidt Illinois Humanities Metro East Diaper Bank Incarnate Word Foundation I Am East St. Louis, The Magazine East Side Aligned Greater East St. Louis Early Learning Partnership The Dred Scott Heritage Foundation Cahokia Public Library Fairmont City Library Columbia Public Library, Columbia IL Six Mile Regional Library District Adventures with Rita Childcare and STEAM Academy Ready Readers

05/14/2026

Click the link to sign up. Thank you!
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0544ADAE2CA6F49-49330986-wehave

Saturday, May 16, 2026, 9 AM to 1:00 PM

Monday, May 18, 2026, 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM

Tuesday, May 19, 2026, 9 AM to 12:00 PM

Friday, May 22, 2026, 10 AM to 12:00 PM

Saturday, May 23, 2026, 12 to 2:00 PM

Date: Saturday, May 16, 2026, 9 AM to 1:00 PM Monday, May 18, 2026, 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM Tuesday, May 19, 2026, 9 AM to 12:00 PM Friday, May 22, 2026, 10 AM to 12:00 PM Saturday, May 23, 2026, 12 to 2:00 PM Depending on the number of volunteers, sorting and packing the bags with 25 books may be done i...

05/12/2026

05/12/2026

We have exciting news! We are proud to welcome the Board Members of the Metro East Literacy Project. With their guidance, leadership, and support, we will continue reaching more families and promoting literacy throughout our community. We are grateful for their commitment to helping children and families grow through the power of literacy.
Linda Edmonds MitchellFriends of the O'Fallon Public LibraryNavigation ChurchState Representative Kevin SchmidtEast Side AlignedI Am East St. Louis, The MagazineMetro East Diaper BankTheodore TerryRotary Club of O'FallonO'Fallon Illinois YMCAOTHS - O'Fallon Township High School District 203O'Fallon Public LibraryOdell Mitchell Jr.Valerie YoungO'Fallon Area Living - Best Version MediaFriends of Kenwood AcademyTron YoungNAACP O Fallon Metro East ChapterO'Fallon Area Habitat for HumanitySt. Louis Community Foundation

Learn more about each board@ member by visiting our website: https://tinyurl.com/ht6ah6dh

05/11/2026

Hi everyone. Here’s a friendly reminder about my Puzzle Class tomorrow at the O'Fallon Public Library at 10 AM. I’ll also be holding a class on Wednesday, May 20, at the O'Fallon Illinois YMCA, at 9:30. I’d love to see you there.
Linda Edmonds MitchellNavigation ChurchEast Side AlignedMetro East Diaper BankRotary Club of O'FallonTheodore TerryOdell Mitchell Jr.OTHS - O'Fallon Township High School District 203

Is Your Brain Healthy?

05/09/2026

Commander Valerie Young is amazing. Her Captain Horace G. Burke VFW POST 3480 of ESTL helped the Metro East Literacy Project sort hundreds of books and pack them into bags to families in our community. Thank you so much for serving MELP for Veterans Day of Service. Thank you also to MELP board member Bevely for helping with this project. Please reach out and/or donate to MELP to support our literacy programs. Visit the website for more information. https://www.metroeastliteracyproject.org/
Linda Edmonds MitchellFriends of the O'Fallon Public LibraryNavigation ChurchState Representative Kevin SchmidtI Am East St. Louis, The MagazineLearning JourneyO'Fallon Area Living - Best Version MediaTheodore TerryRotary Club of O'FallonLeslie HardinMetro East Mutual AidSix Mile Regional Library DistrictFairmont City LibraryEast Side AlignedMetro East Diaper Bank

05/08/2026

I am excited to give books to families at Learning Journey in Belleville! Let’s get started. One bag of 25 books down, 59 more to go! Learning Journey
Friends of the O'Fallon Public LibraryLinda Edmonds MitchellState Representative Kevin SchmidtNavigation ChurchEast Side Aligned

05/08/2026

I am excited to give books to families at Learning Journey in Belleville! Let’s get started. One bag of 25 books down, 59 more to go! Learning Journey
Friends of the O'Fallon Public LibraryLinda Edmonds MitchellState Representative Kevin SchmidtNavigation ChurchEast Side Aligned@

05/07/2026

Get your brain fit with puzzles! 🧩
Solving puzzles can help keep your mind active and support brain health as you age.

Not sure where to start? Watch the Penny Press Puzzle Lady tutorials! Here's how to solve a “Headings” puzzle:

In this video, the Penny Press Puzzle Lady, AKA Linda M. Mitchell, will be showing you how to solve a Headings puzzle from the Penny Press Variety Puzzles ma...