Sept. 6, 2007
United Way’s Days of Caring seeks to engage college students
In collaboration with United Way of Greater New Haven’s Days of Caring, an annual region-wide community volunteer event, local universities and colleges are organizing a Greater New Haven Children’s Book Drive. The goal of the book drive is to donate at least 3,000 children’s books to New Haven Reads and Read to Grow.
“We know that exposure to books helps children develop their language skills and a love of reading – skills that are important to school and life success,” said Jennifer Heath, Vice President for Community Leadership at United Way of Greater New Haven. “There is something special about owning a book. The Children’s Book Drive is a tangible way for the community to make sure more children in our region have books in their homes.”
Last year Yale University ran its own book drive under the leadership of Diane Turner, Associate University Librarian for Human Resources, Staff Training, and Security and collected over 1,300 books that were then donated to New Haven Reads. Turner has led the Days of Caring book drive at Yale for the past three years. This year United Way will work with Turner as a consultant to help expand the book drive to all of the college and university campuses in Greater New Haven: Albertus Magnus College, Gateway Community College, Quinnipiac University, Southern Connecticut State University, University of New Haven, and Yale University.
"I am thrilled with the expansion of the book drive to other universities,” said Turner. “My colleagues at all of the participating universities are equally excited and passionate about reaching our goal. Literacy is a major challenge, particularly for young children, and it is my hope that every child who desires a book will have one of their own.”
To donate new or gently used children’s and parenting books, look for Book Drop locations around each campus from September 9 through 28 or send your donation directly to New Haven Reads or Read to Grow.
For more information about the many volunteer projects available during Days of Caring, September 9-15, visit http://www.uwgnh.org/.
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