The Ferst Foundation addresses one of the most basic issues of childhood literacy-ensuring the availability of quality books in the home so that parents can read to their child. Donations to this organization allows every registered child to receive a book by mail every month until they reach the age of 5. This program is open to every child born in the county. The Rotary Club of Polk County supports this program with a donation each year. It costs $36 to sponsor a child for a year.