Studies show that exposing children to books at a young age, and having books to read at home, is one of the best ways to develop children’s literacy skills. With that backdrop, the United Way of Southwest Michigan is launching a new “Spring Into Reading” book drive next month designed to get books into the hands of kids who may not have had access before and open a whole new world of words to them.
The new campaign is hosted in celebration of National Reading Month. In partnership with Berrien County Great Start Collaborative and Cass County Great Start Collaborative, United Way of Southwest Michigan seeks to collect 5,000 new and gently used books during the month of March.
It’s a parent led book drive that will collect books to be distributed through home visiting programs in Berrien and Cass counties, area Great Start programs, ‘reading treasure chests’ placed in Cass County agencies, to provide book racks at area food pantries for children, and to add a ‘Read Up’ component to summer ‘Meet up, Eat Up’ sites in Berrien and Cass counties.
“Meet Up, Eat Up” sites are part of the Summer Food Service Program from the USDA that ensures low-income children continue to receive nutritious meals when school is not in session.
United Way President Anna Murphy says, “One of the greatest gifts you can give a child is the love of reading. Encouraging an interest in books at a young age is a proven way to develop a child’s reading comprehension and inspire the self confidence they need to do well in school.” She adds, “Reading at home in their free time is vital to developing the early love of books a child needs to succeed in school, and in life.”
For more information call Julee Laurent at 269-932-3566 or by email julee.laurent@uwsm.org. Book drive boxes will be set up throughout businesses and organizations in Berrien and Cass Counties from March 1 to March 22. For a complete list of book drive drop locations you can visit www.uwsm.org/bookdrive.
The United Way is offering a special thanks to UPS, their logistics partner for the ‘Spring into Reading’ book drive.
To help get the project underway while at the same time helping celebrate Dr. Seuss’ birthday, a kick off event for the ‘Spring into Reading’ Book Drive will host an afternoon of fun, crafts and story time on Saturday March 3 at Martin’s in Stevensville.
The kick-off event will feature a story tent with local storytellers and children’s book authors reading their published books, Lisa Micunek’s ‘Green Eggs and Ham’ cooking demo, a cookie book station where kids can decorate, and eat, their own cookie and frosting book page, and Dr. Seuss-themed kids crafts and games provided by the Lincoln Township Library.
Admission is just a new or gently used book to help kick off the United Way’s ‘Spring Into Reading’ book drive which runs throughout the month of March in celebration of National Reading Month. Diverse books are greatly encouraged.
Make plans to join the open house event from 1pm to 4pm. Kids dressed like their favorite book character at the event will be in a drawing to receive a United Way kids prize pack. For more information call Ryan Cheevers at 269-932-3546 or by email ryan.cheevers@uwsm.org. Book drive boxes will be set up throughout all area Martin’s Supermarkets, including Stevensville, Niles and St. Joseph, from March 1 to March 22.
Local authors include Anne Brandt; ‘Philip & Phoebe’, Mike Struwin; ‘Campfire Stu’, Julee Laurent; ‘Lola and Lazlo’. Also reading will be Mary Ann Ware from Lincoln Township Library, and Mary Andres from Well of Grace reading ‘The Book with no Pictures.’
