United Way Of The Brazos Valley begins collecting children’s books for future distribution – WTAW

United Way of the Brazos Valley Vice President Peggi Goss visits WTAW’s Bill Oliver about a children’s book collection event that started across the UWBV service area.

Listen to “United Way of the Brazos Valley Launches Children’s Book Drive” on Spreaker.

Centraide of the Brazos Valley press release:

Starting March 2, United Way of the Brazos Valley is celebrating National Reading Month with a month-long community book drive, collecting new and gently used children’s books. United Way of the Brazos Valley Early Literacy Programs aims to promote early literacy and access to books throughout the Brazos Valley. Book donation bins will be available at local businesses in the Brazos Valley.

United Way of the Brazos Valley will distribute donated books to children through their free book distribution events throughout the year. At these events, children can choose their own book to take home from a wide variety of topics and reading levels. Book Bash events take place throughout the year, including Bunny Book Bash, Boo! Book Bash and Jingle Book Bash, as well as smaller book distribution efforts supported by United Way of the Brazos Valley Workplace Campaign business partners.

United Way of the Brazos Valley is asking the community to donate books for infants, toddlers, children and teens. The most needed types of books are baby board books and early reading children’s books from kindergarten to grade three. Bilingual books are also needed for children in the Brazos Valley.

“Education starts early,” said Peggi Goss, vice president of community impact at United Way of the Brazos Valley. “The longer you wait, the harder it is to gain ground if a student falls behind. We want to make sure that parents know from the start how important it is to interact with their children by reading early and often.

Two-thirds of children living in poverty grow up without books at home. Studies show that the number of books in the home is directly related to reading success. Children who grow up with access to books at home reach a higher level of education. United Way of the Brazos Valley is tackling this issue to support early literacy for all children.

“Even in third grade, the first time their reading ability is measured, [success in] those third-grade results impact high school graduations,” Goss said. “We strive to ensure that children have access to early reading and that parents can spend time reading to their children in order to make them more successful in their lifelong education.”

Donation bins will be available at the following locations in the Brazos Valley:

• United Way of the Brazos Valley Office – 1716 Briarcrest Dr., Suite 155, Bryan, TX 77802

• First Financial Bank locations:

o 1716 Briarcrest Dr., Ste. 400 Bryan, Texas 77802
2900 S. Texas Ave., Bryan, TX 77802
o 3400 E. State Highway. 21 Bryan, TX 77808
o 2305 Texas Ave. S., College Station, TX 77840
o 4450 State Highway. 6 S., College Station, TX 77845

• Navasota Grimes County Chamber of Commerce – 117 S. Lasalle St., Navasota, TX 77868
• University Title Society – 1021 University Dr. E., College Station TX 77840
• Enterprise Rent-A-Car – 1820 Hwy 290 W., Brenham, TX 77833
• Allen Samuels Chevrolet Buick GMC – 4556 Hwy 6, Hearne, TX 77859
• Kawasaki of Caldwell – 185 TX-36, Caldwell, TX 77836
• Brookshire Brothers – 403 E. Main St., Madisonville, TX 77864

United Way of the Brazos Valley’s next Book Bash, Bunny Book Bash, will take place April 9 at the Post Oak Mall. For more information visit uwbv.org/early-literacy-program