Dear Editor: Founded in 1991, Sitka Babies and Books is a nonprofit organization that encourages Sitka children to become lifelong readers by providing books and special events for them during their first three years of life. Monthly programs are presented at the Sitka Public Library that encourage parent participation, and explore not only books, but art, music, dance, sensory integration, rhythm, and play.
It is only through the support, both monetary and personal, of many Sitka groups and individuals that we are able to continue presenting these programs and offering free books to the children who participate. So it is with our most gracious thanks that we would like to recognize those who helped make 2025 a great library experience for more than 500 children and members of their families.
Thank you, Vera, Arly and T.J. Witherspoon, Jackie DiGennaro, Sapphire Esmay, Pauline Duncan, Al Duncan, Roby Littlefield, Juls Vicki, members of the Sitka High School Honor Society, Mt. Edgecumbe High School Education Rising Program students, and MEHS Native Youth Olympics teams and interactive activities led by their instructors, Nestor Wilkinson, Kalista Douglas and Kenyatta Bradley, for helping us provide some amazing Saturday programs for Sitka children and their parents.
Thank you to the Sitka Library ataff, SEARHC Mt. Edgecumbe Medical Center hospital staff, KCAW Raven Radio, Old Harbor Books, and the Daily Sitka Sentinel for support and publicity.
Thank you, Sitka White Elephant, Friends of the Library, Sitka Rotary Club, Sitka CHARR, Sitka Woman’s Club, and First Bank for grant money received, and to AC Lakeside (Lita Bahn), Sitka Bottling, Harry Race/White’s Pharmacy, Sitka Emblem Club, Salty Life (Lynn Stewart), Marybeth Nelson, Brenda Shoemaker, and Sid and Esther Brown (T.J. Witherspoon’s grandparents) for financial and in-kind donations.
Finally, we would like to shout out a very special thank you to all the participants, including children, siblings, mothers, fathers, grandparents, aunties, uncles, and friends, who participated in our Sitka Babies and Books events in 2025.
With very sincere thanks,
Sitka Babies and Books
