Metro East Literacy Project

10/13/2026

What a night of laughter, community, and support for literacy!

Thank you to everyone who helped make the Metro East Literacy Project’s Page & Turner Comedy Relief fundraiser possible—our corporate sponsors, community partners, musicians, adult and youth jokesters, volunteers, board members, and everyone who attended! A special thank-you to event committee chair Stephanie Crumpton for helping bring it all together. ❤️

This event raised funds for the creation of our Page & Turner mascot, and we’re still accepting donations!

If you feel inspired to help us pursue our mission of eradicating illiteracy in the Metro East, visit MetroEastLiteracyProject.org to learn more about how to support our work.

Enjoy these highlights from the evening—and thank you for being part of our story! 📖✨


Linda Edmonds MitchellFriends of the O'Fallon Public LibraryState Representative Kevin SchmidtI Am East St. Louis, The MagazineUniversity of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignEckert's Country Store & FarmsMillstadt LibrarySt. Louis MagazineO'Fallon Public LibraryOTHS - O'Fallon Township High School District 203East Side AlignedNavigation ChurchSIUE Honors Student AssociationMcKendree UniversityJackie Joyner-Kersee FoundationReady ReadersIllinois HumanitiesBrian KellerAdvantage Family ChiropracticKenwood High School Class of 1974 - ChicagoO'Fallon-Shiloh Chamber STL Comedy ChatterSTL Events 314Turn the Page STLConnecting Collinsville - A Community Calendar & News SourceO'Fallon Area Habitat for HumanityScott Credit Union

10/06/2026

Freedom Friday Message! 📚

Today, we’re sharing a YouTube Short from SUPERIORVOCABULARY about the power of vocabulary and how expanding your vocabulary can expand your mind.

▶️ Watch the Short and tell us what you think!: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/qLcwpVVAjCM

Do you think a strong vocabulary can help you:
💬 Express yourself more clearly?
🌎 See things from a broader perspective?
🧠 Think about ideas in new ways?

Share your thoughts in the comments! We’d love to hear from you! 💛

Linda Edmonds Mitchell Friends of the O'Fallon Public Library Navigation Church State Representative Kevin Schmidt Illinois Humanities Incarnate Word Foundation Metro East Diaper Bank 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

10/03/2026

Don’t forget to get your tickets to the East Literacy Project (MELP )Page and Turner comic relief show on Saturday, October 10, at the Katy Cavins community center in O’Fallon. Click the link for more information. We’re at the Street Market in O’Fallon spreading the word. Linda Edmonds Mitchell

https://www.metroeastliteracyproject.org/

10/02/2026

09/30/2026

🎉 Thank you to all the families who shared their comments, videos, and photos with us!
And congratulations to our lucky winner! 🎉 We hope you enjoy your $25 gift card! 💛📚
See you at the next MELP Drawing!

09/29/2026

Volunteer Opportunities Galore to - https://mailchi.mp/metroeastliteracyproject.org/volunteer-opportunities-galore-helpmelp-10986586

09/29/2026

Freedom Friday Message 📚

In today’s Freedom Friday Message, we want to ask you: Do you know your child’s reading level?

As the school year continues, it’s important to keep an eye on your child’s reading development. Is your child reading at grade level? Have they made progress since their last reading assessment? If they need additional support, there are many ways you can help them grow as readers at home. 📚

Reading together and having plenty of books at home can make a big difference. The Metro East Literacy Project is here to help make sure your family has access to books!

Interested in receiving another bag of books for your family? Send us a message! 📚💛

Linda Edmonds Mitchell Friends of the O'Fallon Public Library Navigation Church Illinois Humanities State Representative Kevin Schmidt Incarnate Word Foundation Metro East Diaper Bank 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

09/28/2026

I had a great time hanging out with fellow alums at the University of Illinois State Tour Leadership gathering at the Eckert’s C***r Shed in Belleville. Thanks alum Jim Eckert for hosting the event. I had the pleasure of meeting our U of I Chancellor Charles Isbell. He’s very personable and towering figure.
Linda Edmonds MitchellFriends of the O'Fallon Public LibraryUniversity of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignMetro East Literacy ProjectEckert's Country Store & Farms

09/28/2026

Thank you to the OTHS - O'Fallon Township High School District 203 Interact Club members for helping to sort hundreds of donated books in our community storage unit today. The Interact Club is a youth affiliate of Rotary clubs. Linda Edmonds MitchellFriends of the O'Fallon Public LibraryEast Side AlignedI Am East St. Louis, The MagazineReady ReadersSix Mile Regional Library DistrictFairmont City LibraryKenwood High School Class of 1974 - ChicagoThe Brian Jordan FoundationAmeren IllinoisSt. Louis MagazineDesirée NelsonMillstadt LibraryMetro East Literacy ProjectUniversity of Illinois Urbana-Champaign