Book drive for Goodwill Childhood Literacy Program is underway

ST. PETERSBURG — It’s said that “readers are leaders.” Goodwill is helping cultivate future leaders by bringing the joy of reading directly to children who may not otherwise have books of their own.

A drive to collect books for Goodwill’s BookWorks children’s literacy program runs through March 15. People in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Polk, Hernando, Marion and Sumter counties are asked to donate children’s books in good condition.

Channel 10 News (WTSP-TV), the Tampa Bay Times, WMNF 88.5 FM Community Radio, Ocala’s Q92 FM and 102.3 FM are sponsors of Goodwill’s book drive.

Goodwill’s BookWorks program promotes literacy by putting books into the hands of children from low-income families. Goodwill volunteers read to groups of children at Head Start centers and other locations and then present each child with a personalized book to take home.

To donate books, attach a note indicating they are “For BookWorks” and drop them off at any Goodwill-Suncoast store or donation site in Pinellas, Hillsborough, Pasco, Polk, Hernando, Marion or Sumter counties. For donation locations, visit www.goodwill-suncoast.org or call toll-free 888-279-1988.

To volunteer for BookWorks, call 888-279-1988 and ask for BookWorks.

Goodwill’s BookWorks program is designed to instill a love of books and reading in children to prepare them to succeed in tomorrow’s workforce. Because early childhood literacy is linked to later employability, BookWorks supports Goodwill-Suncoast’s mission of helping people achieve their full potential through the dignity and power of work.