United Way receives 1,216 books for children

United Way of North Idaho has received a bundle of children’s books from a national nonprofit that supports childhood literacy and school readiness.

The Children’s Reading Foundation, based in Kennewick, Wash., donated and shipped 1,216 books to the local United Way.

“Because of generous book donations from The Children’s Reading Foundations READ Up Grant, local businesses, and individuals we will distribute over 6,000 new or gently used books in our communities,” said Annette Eberlein, AmeriCorps Vista Early Learning Impact Coordinator with United Way of North Idaho, in a news release.

United Way was one of 10 recipients in eight states to receive a share of 13,500 books awarded by the foundation’s READ Up: Stop the Summer Slide 2017 Children’s Book Grant.

The READ Up program promotes reading as part of daily summer routines by providing free children’s books, reading activities, and read-aloud demonstrations targeted to parents and children birth to age 8.

The Children’s Reading Foundation was founded in 1996. The organization focuses its efforts on making it possible for every child to learn to read at grade level by the end of third grade so each child can reach his or her full potential in school and life. Learn more at ReadingFoundation.org.