March 12, 2013 – Local residents helped 145 Yolo County kids reach for the stars by participating in United Way California Capital Region’s 2nd Annual STAR Readers Book Drive that ended Friday. The drive exceeded its goal by collecting 660 books for more than 650 children across five counties in United Way’s STAR Readers project that is working to increase graduation rates by improving early reading skills. Davis Bridge Foundation and Yolo County Children’s Alliance are partners in United Way’s STAR Readers project.

“The capital region is incredibly generous, and we are grateful that communities across five counties contributed books to help children improve their reading and have access to books that will set them on a path for success,” said Steve Heath, United Way president and CEO.

Through the online book drive, local residents purchased age-appropriate books for children in kindergarten through third grade: “A Green, Green Garden” by Mercer Mayer, “Marley: Firehouse Dog” by John Grogan, “Frog and Toad are Friends” by Arnold Lobel and “The Enormouse Pearl Heist” by Geronimo Stilton. The goal was to collect more than 650 books, one for each child in United Way’s STAR Readers project. Books will benefit Amador-Tuolumne Community Resources in Jackson, Boys & Girls Club of Auburn, Boys & Girls Club of El Dorado County, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Sacramento, Davis Bridge Foundation, New Morning Youth and Family Services in Placerville, Sacramento Chinese Community Service Center and Yolo County Children’s Alliance in Davis.

As part of the STAR Readers Book Drive, United Way teamed up with Barnes & Noble in Citrus Heights for a children’s reading event. Dozens of families came out in pajamas for A Starry Night on Feb. 27, where local celebrities gave dramatic readings of the books, which were available to purchase that night for the book drive.

United Way’s partners in the 2nd Annual STAR Readers Book Drive included the Sacramento Bee, Barnes & Noble, KVIE and the Sacramento Public Library.

For 90 years, United Way California Capital Region has actively worked to address the community’s most pressing issues, now focusing on innovative solutions related to high school graduation rates, household financial stability and obesity. United Way’s team of nonprofits, businesses, donors and volunteers are working together to provide positive, measurable results on these issues through United Way projects: STAR Readers, $en$e-Ability and Fit Kids. Community members can give, volunteer and advocate in support of the causes they care most about, benefiting United Way and hundreds of nonprofits in Amador, El Dorado, Placer, Sacramento and Yolo counties. United Way is an independent, local affiliate of United Way Worldwide. For more information, visit www.yourlocalunitedway.org.