Book drive for Goodwill’s childhood literacy program starts Feb. 1
Do you have children’s books you no longer need? Donate them to Goodwill and help foster a love of reading among kids who may not have books of their own.
Studies show that young children who read regularly receive multiple benefits – from better imaginations to better chances for success in school. Goodwill is helping to cultivate those benefits by bringing the joy of reading to children from low-income families.
A drive to support Goodwill’s BookWorks childhood literacy program starts Feb. 1 and runs through March 15. People in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Polk, Hernando, Marion, Sumter and Highlands counties are asked to donate children’s books in good condition or make a donation to purchase books for the program.
10 News/WTSP-TV, the Tampa Bay Times, WMNF 88.5 FM Community Radio, as well as Q92 FM and US 102.3 FM in Ocala are sponsors of Goodwill’s book drive.
Goodwill’s BookWorks program promotes literacy by putting books into the hands of children from low-income families. Goodwill volunteers read to children at Head Start centers and other locations and then present each child with a personalized book to take home. Last year BookWorks volunteers presented books to more than 38,000 children from low-income families.
To donate books, attach a note indicating they are “For BookWorks” and drop them off at any Goodwill-Suncoast store or donation site in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Polk, Hernando, Sumter, Marion or Highlands counties. For donation locations, visit www.goodwill-suncoast.org or call toll-free 888-279-1988.
Another option is to make a monetary gift to purchase new books for the program. Just visit https://goodwill-suncoast.org/give-online/ to make a donation.
To volunteer for BookWorks, call 888-279-1988 and ask for BookWorks or email bookworks@goodwill-suncoast.com.
Goodwill’s BookWorks program is designed to instill a love of books and reading in children to prepare them to succeed in tomorrow’s workforce. Because early childhood literacy is linked to later employability, BookWorks supports Goodwill-Suncoast’s mission of helping people achieve their full potential through the dignity and power of work. Visit http://goodwill-suncoast.org/bookworks/ for more information about BookWorks.
Goodwill Industries-Suncoast is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to help people achieve their full potential through the dignity and power of work. The organization’s successful donated goods retail operation helps support its human services in 10 counties, including employment services, training centers for people with disabilities, a children’s literacy program, affordable apartment communities for seniors and people with disabilities, and community corrections programs. For more information, visit www.goodwill-suncoast.org.