Each year, more than 300 babies are born at St. Elizabeth Hospital (formerly Enumclaw Regional Hospital).

It is our belief that all children in our society should be literate.  We believe that the road to literacy begins as soon as a child is born.  We believe that children who are read to daily from birth are more likely to be fluent, lifelong readers.

The Enumclaw Regional Healthcare Foundation teams with the Enumclaw School District to present special “Baby Packets” to the new moms and dads of children born at the hospital.

The Books for Babies package includes a classic children’s book, discount coupons for the future purchase of children’s books, a top-ten booklist, and a library card application – all wrapped up in a diaper!  Recent book selections have included “Polar Bear, Polar Bear,” “The Runaway Bunny,” “Guess How Much I Love You?”, “Moo, Moo, Peekaboo!”, and currently, “Goodnight Moon”.   A $10 donation sponsors one baby.  Since November 1999, Enumclaw Regional Healthcare Foundation has dedicated more than $10,000 to the Books for Babies Program.