Book drive honors efforts of 'a great lady'

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MEDFORD — Before her unexpected death Oct. 20, Healthy Start family advocate Kerry Prince was relentlessly devoted to providing books to the children of the dozens of first-time parents she mentored.

"Kerry was huge on books so she was always after me to find a way to get more books for the kids," said Healthy Start program manager Anne Daugherty.

"She really encouraged families to start reading during the pregnancy to get them started as soon as possible. She was really great at her job."

Prince, who had recently turned 60, died from complications following a recent surgery.

In memory of Prince, her friends and co-workers are following in her footsteps by sponsoring a book drive.

Prince spent more than two decades of her life as a family advocate for various local agencies, including Head Start, Access Food Share and OnTrack Addictions Recovery.

"She was one of the best advocates, home visitors I've ever met. She meant a lot to the families she served," Daugherty said.

Though still dealing with the loss of Prince, Daugherty said it seemed obvious to do the drive in honor of the mother and grandmother who tended to so many young families.

A friend of Prince's already has donated $300 toward book purchases and a few books have begun to show up in the four barrels placed in La Clinica locations.

A program that serves low-income and first-time parents for up to five years from their babies' births, Healthy Start in Jackson County is coordinated by La Clinica health clinics in Medford and Central Point.

Eagle Point resident Rebecca Carter, who knew Prince since the birth of her now 3-year-old son, Payton, said Prince would have been pleased with the book drive.

"Kerry was my advocate for Healthy Start for three years and I held her very near and dear to my heart," Carter said, choking back tears. "I always looked forward to seeing her. She always showed up with books so I started reading to my son early on.

"He was 3 months old when she came into our lives so, every since then, I've read to him. Every time he pulls out a book I can't help but think of Kerry."

Daugherty said with Healthy Start facing further budget cuts in January, donations would be the only method of obtaining books for families served by the agency.

Carter said she hoped the community would donate books to help young families — and in memory of "a great lady."

Carter added, "I feel so honored to have known her. There are people you meet and you know you will never forget. She was one of those people."

Donated books or checks (for purchasing more books) can be dropped off through 5 p.m. Nov. 30 at any of four LaClinica locations in Medford and Central Point. Healthy Start organizers prefer "board books" for early readers but regular books will also be accepted and distributed.

Checks, marked "Kerry Prince Book Drive," may be sent to LaClinica, 3617 S. Pacific Highway, Medford, OR 97501

Buffy Pollock is a freelance writer living in Medford. E-mail her at buffypollock@juno.com.

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