DAHLGREN – COUNTRY Financial Representative Justin Drake is proud to support National Reading Month with a donation of books on resilience to area schools. National Reading Month is celebrated each March to honor Dr. Seuss’s birthday.

“Reading is one of the best habits to develop. It strengthens mental muscles, helps to improve comprehension and analytical abilities, and increases imagination and boosts memory,” says Drake.

COUNTRY Financial-Drake Insurance Agency shared the book “A Bad Day Fishing.” The book is a tale about a young boy and his pup on a day fishing when they encounter mishaps and setbacks along the way. The story is a testament to not giving up even when things go wrong.

The books are being distributed to the Hamilton County School District, Mercy Heights, Dahlgren Grade School, and Jelly Bean Learning Center in McLeansboro.

“The world today has many challenges we must face. Teaching kids at a young age to be resilient is a huge aspect of life and that attitude can help you achieve great things. I have personally witnessed and experienced this both in my years of military service and as a business owner. Through keeping faith and a positive outlook, I have been able to achieve many great things,” added Drake.

COUNTRY Financial has donated more than $6 million since 2020 to organizations and programs that support first responders, active-duty service members and veterans, supporting the company’s vision to “enrich lives in the communities we serve.” The Operation Helping Heroes program was created in 2015 to support non-profit events and programs that benefit active-duty service members, veterans, and their families. Later, the program expanded to include first responders and teachers.