Community collects 145 books for Yolo kids in United Way’s STAR Readers project
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.