The Northern New Jersey Business Volunteer Council (BVC) is seeking companies to participate in Books in a Bag, an annual initiative to collect new children's books for pre-school children of low-income families. The kick off is March 2 - which is also Read Across America Day - and lasts through the end of April.Books in a Bag promotes early-childhood literacy. Studies have shown that for every dollar spent helping children learn to read, $7 is saved in future remedial instruction. Often, children in low-income families grow up without books because food and shelter are the main priority. A home environment rich in books and inhabited by people who love to read is an early indicator for a child's future success in the classroom - and in life!
The BVC partners with Head Start, a federally-funded early childhood education program for very low-income families, to ensure that the children have a chance to read and succeed. Employee volunteers collect, sort, bag and deliver the books, and often remain in the classroom to read to the children. Since 2000, the BVC has given more than 13,000 children five brand-new, age-appropriate books to take home and keep.
The BVC engages area companies and their employees in activities that help low income families. Companies pay annual dues based on the size of their employee pool, but companies not currently members of the BVC are welcome to participate in Books in a Bag. A low fee of $25 provides a complete "how-to" packet to guide you through every facet of organizing a Books in a Bag drive. Contact Amanda Missey, BVC Manager, at 201-489-9454, ext.119 or amissey@bergenvolunteers.org to get started today.
2 comments:
It sounds like a great project. Good luck!
The post says the books have to be NEW. Will they except like new or gently used?
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