Reading and literacy are key components of education and child development. A 2009 study from Seton Hall University and UT Southwestern found that reading regularly can lead to long-term health benefits such as decreased stress levels and increased cognitive function. Similar studies also found that reading can help develop soft skills such as empathy and creativity. However, there are thousands of children in underserved communities with limited access to books.
Michelle Cook and her team are looking to change that statistic through Book Drive for Kids. Book Drive for Kids is a non-profit organization helping create a culture of literacy and academic success by providing books to children in low-income households. Since 2017, Book Drive for Kids has gifted over 40,000 books to children thanks to the generosity of the public.
Donations allow Michelle and her team of volunteers to host free book fairs at schools throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Through these fun, free events, children are encouraged to pick out age-appropriate books to take home. Free book fairs not only give students access to books, but students leave school with a newfound excitement for reading. The organization also runs programs that promote reading when school isn’t in session. In addition to its summer reading program, Book Drive for Kids has a Fill-A-Shelf Initiative that promotes reading after the school day or during long holiday breaks.
“If we can inspire children to love to read by providing books, then we can give them the tools they need to be successful individuals,” says Cook. “We hope these gestures of love will encourage them to explore more books and evolve into life-long readers.”
In honor of World Book Day on April 23, Book Drive for Kids will be hosting their Share a Book campaign. From April 18-30, Book Drive for Kids will accept donations of new and gently used children’s books at drop-off locations throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth area, including the ResponsiveEd Home Office in Lewisville. All donations will directly benefit students in the Dallas-Fort Worth area with limited access to books. To learn more about Book Drive for Kids or if you’d like to make a monetary donation, visit bookdriveforkids.com.
