2020, brought COVID and a very unique time during our country. However, it also brought the birth of our pillow project. With many businesses and local buildings closing, it brought challenges for how people could stay connected. One of these challenges, was access to books, for those families who relied on libraries. A preschool teacher in Georgetown had a parent conference with a parent who said they would not be able to read to their child because they did not have any books in their home. The then current Governor of the Carolinas District of Kiwanis asked clubs to reach out to do a service project for preschoolers. At that same time, a Kiwanis member taught a neighbor how to make a reading pillow for their granddaughter. The combination of these events simultaneously occurring, led to the initiation of the pillow project in our club.

The first year about 80 pillows were made and included three books in each pocket. The names were appliqued on to the pockets. This meant each letter was individually cut out by volunteers from Georgetown Kraft Credit Union. Each letter was then sewn to the pillow pocket. This happened the second year as well. By the third year of the project, almost 200 pillows were made and an embroidery machine was purchased by a volunteer who embroidered each name on. In the 2025-2026 school year 311 pillows were made and distributed to preschoolers.

As this program has grown in numbers, the impact is seen throughout the community, as more families are affected by the program and Kiwanis are called recognized for this initiative. For example, two Kiwanis members, wearing their Kiwanis shirts, were dining in a Georgetown restaurant. Their waitress asked them “Are you the people responsible for my son receiving that lovely pillow?” They replied in the affirmative.
Another Kiwanis member has a preschool neighbor who raced up to him to show off his pillow that he had received in school that day; he was dancing for joy.
Teachers whose children or grandchildren have received pillows say how their children still have their pillow four years later….and still use it to this day. They place a book to be read at night in the pocket.

The Larger Impact

How can you measure a love of reading? In our opinion, it is a child who is always ready to read or be read to at any time of day. When we deliver books to children in the Georgetown County public schools, we always ask, “Who loves to read?” Every child raises their hand and says, “I do!” In many of the schools we visit, a chorus of “READERS ARE LEADERS” is broadcast from the hallways. A child who loves to read
is one who gets excited about receiving a new book or “graduating” to chapter books, a milestone in reading growth.

Educators have long stated that children who have been read to since birth are 1,000 book children which includes repetitions. This helps build vocabulary, comprehension, and a love for reading. In fact, reading 5 times daily can introduce children to nearly 1.5 million words by age 5 creating a strong school foundation.

The Pillow Process

Creating a book pillow requires the work of many volunteers as well as the cost of the materials: fabric, labels, personalization whether embroidery or vinyl lettering, pillow inserts and books. In the 2025-26 year, 208 yards of fabric was used to make 311 pillows. This required the work of almost 50 volunteers who shopped, cut, sewed, ironed, stuffed, sorted, and delivered books and pillows to preschoolers. We especially want to thank the Winyah Quilt Guild and the Myrtle Beach Shorebirds Quilts of Valor group for their assistance in helping us reach our goal.

In order to continue this project, volunteers are needed and funds are needed to purchase fabric, pillow inserts and books. Did you know that three books are given to each child? That is almost 1,000 books for preschoolers alone. If you would like to help, please consider donating so we can continue this essential project.