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'Grandpa and Lucy'

Subhead
Students gain understanding of dementia through reading with Bookin' Buddies
Lead Summary
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By
Mavis Fodness

At the end of each semester since 2000, the Bookin’ Buddies at Luverne Elementary School share one last story and the second graders receive a free book as a parting gift.
On Wednesday, Jan. 22, the second-graders in Lori Nath’s and Laura Louwagie’s classes received an extra book provided by the Rock County Dementia Network that organizers hope will have a lasting impact with readers.
“Grandpa and Lucy” was published in 2017 and was a Girl Scout project of Edie Weinstein, then a ninth grader at Visitation High School in St. Paul.
Weinstein’s efforts earned her the Girl Scout Silver Award in honor of her efforts to educate people, particularly youth, about dementia.
Education is also a goal of the local dementia network.
“Our hope is that by introducing the second graders to the topic, they will develop empathy and understanding — especially as they get into middle school and participate in the adopted grandparents program at the veteran’s home and Mary Jane Brown,” said Carrie Soto, network president.
Weinstein became a Dementia Friend, an initiative focused on changing the perception of dementia. Part of the friend training was to understand the group’s five key messages and complete at least one dementia-friendly action. For Weinstein, her action was to write a picture book.
Bookin’ Buddies is a weekly reading program, which pairs community members with second graders. Each Wednesday the adults and students meet in the elementary school media center for 30 minutes of one-on-one reading time.
Copies of “Grandpa and Lucy” will also be given at the completion of the next Bookin’ Buddies in May.
The Rock County Dementia Group received a $1,000 grant through the Minnesota River Area Agency on Aging to purchase and distribute 100 books to the current second grade class.
“We do plan on seeking funding to ensure it can continue in coming years,” Soto said.

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