2011 ‘Early Readers’ drive now collecting books for area youth

Posted by Jayme Blaschke
University News Service
June 16, 2011

The Center for P-16 Initiatives at Texas State University-San Marcos in cooperation with Seeking Opportunities Achieving Results (SOAR) is sponsoring the Early Readers become Leaders Book 2011 Drive in the month of July.

The goal for this year is to collect more than 14,000 books for children under the age of six years old. To reach this target, the Center for P-16 Initiatives is working in cooperation with other SOAR partners to encourage book donations in English and Spanish. Books will be distributed through the Hays County Head Start, WIC, Boys and Girls Clubs and ECI in San Marcos.

“Our goal is to make sure that 2,200 children under the age of six have books in their home and a backpack,” said Liz Castaneda, grant coordinator for the Center for P-16 Initiatives.

Starting July 1 and running through the month of July, early childhood books will be collected in bins in various locations throughout San Marcos including banks, businesses, city hall and other public venues. Texas State will have a bin placed on the first floor of the J.C. Kellam Building by the vending machines.

“We recognize the importance of early literacy in helping all children succeed in school,” said Michelle Hamilton, director of Center for P-16 Initiatives. “Many children from economically disadvantaged families do not have age-appropriate books in their homes.”

SOAR is a collaboration that includes Texas State University, San Marcos Chamber of Commerce, San Marcos CISD, the City of San Marcos, Gary Job Corps, Austin Community College, the San Marcos Academy, and United Way of Hays County.

For more information, contact Michelle Hamilton at 245-8192.