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Hernando Today

Goodwill Seeking Children's Book Donations

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By KLINT LOWRY

Special to Hernando Today

Published: March 8, 2009

ST. PETERSBURG - Goodwill Industries-Suncoast is looking for donations of new or like-new children's books for its annual BookWorks childhood literacy program.

During March and April, people in Pinellas, Hillsborough, Pasco, Polk, Hernando and Marion counties are asked to donate new or like-new books for children ages 2-5.

To donate books, attach a note indicating they are "For BookWorks" and drop them off at any Goodwill-Suncoast store or donation site. In West Pasco, those sites include 10447 U.S. 19, Port Richey; and 4750 Commercial Way, Spring Hill.

Now in its 10th year, Goodwill's BookWorks program promotes childhood literacy by putting books into the hands of children who may not otherwise have them.

Goodwill volunteers read to groups of preschool children at Head Start centers and other locations, including eight locations in West Pasco, reaching about 300 children.

After reading to the children, the volunteers give each child a book to keep. Before the visit, Goodwill gets the names of each child in the class. Their names are inscribed in the books and they are called up by name to receive them. It's a small touch that has a big positive effect, a Goodwill representative, Chris Ward, said.

"Children get so excited," Ward said. "A lot of times this is the first book that that they owned, that's all theirs."

That's why it's important that the books be in new condition, she added. Donated books are inspected page by page to make sure there aren't torn or missing pages or crayon scribbles.

There are few restrictions on the kinds of books that can be donated, other than that they are age appropriate. They also cannot be religious in nature, Ward said.

Goodwill accepts books for the BookWorks program all year long, Ward added, but the official drive is held in March and April because it is far enough removed from the holiday season but still in time to catch the snowbirds before they head back up north.

Goodwill is also always looking for more volunteer readers for the program. For more information, including more store and donation site locations, call, toll-free, 1-888-279-1988, or visit www.goodwill-suncoast.org>. To volunteer for the program, call Goodwill Community Relations at 1-888-279-1988, ext. 1013.

ST. PETERSBURG Goodwill Industries-Suncoast is looking for donations of new or like-new children's books for its annual BookWorks childhood literacy program.

During March and April, people in Pinellas, Hillsborough, Pasco, Polk, Hernando and Marion counties are asked to donate new or like-new books for children ages 2-5.

To donate books, attach a note indicating they are "For BookWorks" and drop them off at any Goodwill-Suncoast store or donation site. In West Pasco, those sites include 10447 U.S. 19, Port Richey; and 4750 Commercial Way, Spring Hill.

Now in its 10th year, Goodwill's BookWorks program promotes childhood literacy by putting books into the hands of children who may not otherwise have them.

Goodwill volunteers read to groups of preschool children at Head Start centers and other locations, including eight locations in West Pasco, reaching about 300 children.

After reading to the children, the volunteers give each child a book to keep. Before the visit, Goodwill gets the names of each child in the class. Their names are inscribed in the books and they are called up by name to receive them. It's a small touch that has a big positive effect, a Goodwill representative, Chris Ward, said.

"Children get so excited," Ward said. "A lot of times this is the first book that that they owned, that's all theirs."

That's why it's important that the books be in new condition, she added. Donated books are inspected page by page to make sure there aren't torn or missing pages or crayon scribbles.

There are few restrictions on the kinds of books that can be donated, other than that they are age appropriate. They also cannot be religious in nature, Ward said.

Goodwill accepts books for the BookWorks program all year long, Ward added, but the official drive is held in March and April because it is far enough removed from the holiday season but still in time to catch the snowbirds before they head back up north.

Goodwill is also always looking for more volunteer readers for the program. For more information, including more store and donation site locations, call, toll-free, 1-888-279-1988, or visit www.goodwill-suncoast.org>. To volunteer for the program, call Goodwill Community Relations at 1-888-279-1988, ext. 1013.

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