Save the Children (STC) hosted a Literacy Kit Distribution Event at Memorial Golf Course to promote literacy awareness among underprivileged children on Nov. 15.

STC is a national nonprofit dedicated to advocating for children’s rights. Bellaire’s chapter, founded last year by junior Elly Zhang, aims to strengthen youth voices and educate the community about children’s rights. The Literacy Kit Distribution marked the launch of the chapter’s new literacy campaign, Chapter Zero.

Treasurer and junior Hunter Chang said the chapter hopes to continue raising awareness by organizing more literary distribution events similar to this one.

“This event was a really good opportunity to help children because we partnered with a really important organization, Girls Golf LPGA, which also works with kids to raise awareness,” Chang said. “Partnering with them today and being able to get both sides [of the story] is really good.”

Zhang collaborated with Girls Golf LPGA First Tee program director Maya Freeman to host the event alongside Girls First Tee’s annual “Girls-Giving” celebration, where young golfers participate in a donation drive.

“We thought it was a fantastic idea to bring the literacy distribution stand to our Girls’ Golf event where the girls were already focused on giving back for the holiday season,” Freeman said. “We thought it would also be a really great way to introduce the importance of literacy to the kids and also give them a chance to continue to have something to take home with them.”

Young golfer Asia Ballou started her golf journey three years ago and was introduced to First Tee soon after.

“I’ve been coming to First Tee since the very beginning of my golf game,” Ballou said. “I took maybe two or three classes, and I just kept coming because I love the program.”

Ballou participated in the Girls-Giving donation drive and was surprised by how much the event gave back in return.

“We brought donations for Girls-Giving since it’s almost Thanksgiving, and then Save the Children gave back through their booth — I was not expecting that,” Ballou said.

After winning one of the raffle prizes, Ballou said the experience was even more meaningful.

“It felt good in general to give, but the fact that Save the Children gave back to us made it all feel 10 times better,” Ballou said.

To learn more about STC, follow their instagram @savethechildren.bhs.