Goodwill’s BookWorks program continues to bring books and the love of reading to children despite the pandemic. The community is asked to contribute to a virtual book drive from April 1-30 to supply the program for the coming year.
TAMPA BAY — Despite the pandemic, Goodwill’s BookWorks program continues to bring books and the love of reading to children. Some preschools are now allowing volunteers into classrooms to read and present each child with a book to take home. Most volunteers are engaging the children with interactive online readings.
After stories are read to the class, the teacher presents each child with a book that was previously delivered to the school. BookWorks put books into the hands and homes of more than 25,000 children last year. For some children, this is the first book they have ever owned.
A virtual book drive starts April 1 and runs through April 30 to supply the program for the coming year. People in Pinellas, Hillsborough, Pasco, Polk, Hernando, Marion, and Sumter counties are asked to purchase books for the program through an online wish list or to make a donation to the BookWorks fund that will be used to buy books from a wholesaler. Goodwill can purchase new storybooks for as little as $1 each.
To donate books through the online wish list or make a monetary gift to purchase books, just visit www.godwill-suncoast.org and look for the Cat in the Hat link on the home page.
WMNF 88.5 FM Community Radio, Q92 FM, and US 102.3 FM in Ocala are sponsors of the book drive.
To volunteer for BookWorks, call 888-279-1988 and ask for BookWorks, or email bookworks@goodwill-suncoast.com.
Goodwill’s BookWorks program is designed to instill a love of books and reading in children to establish the foundation for later success. Visit goodwill-suncoast.org/bookworks/ for more information about BookWorks.
