Jingle Books drive wraps up Dec. 13

The fifth annual Jingle Books drive benefitting young readers in Coeur d’Alene Public Schools is in its final stretch. There’s still time to donate new or gently used books suitable for children in kindergarten through third grade.

All K-3 students at the district’s 11 elementary schools will get to pick out six books each to take home Dec. 18-20. The goal is to enrich reading opportunities for these students and help them build personal home libraries that will encourage regular reading.

Jingle Books also supports ongoing efforts of the school district and community partners to boost reading proficiency during the critical early years of a child’s education.

Collections will conclude on Thursday, Dec. 13. Books may be donated at any school in the Coeur d’Alene district, or at the district office, 1400 N. Northwood Center Court.

Jingle Books collection boxes also are located at the Coeur d’Alene Public Library children’s room, the Hayden Library, the Kroc Center, the Boys & Girls Club in Coeur d’Alene and the Coeur d’Alene Chamber of Commerce.

Additional collection boxes are located at Figpickels Toy Emporium, the Well-Read Moose, Entertainmart, Pita Pit headquarters, Anytime Fitness, Infinite Electronics, River City Physical Therapy, Idaho Independent Bank, Idaho Trust Bank, Umpqua Bank, Willamette Valley Bank and Washington Trust Bank on Lakeside.

Volunteers Norm and Diana Gissel are coordinating the Jingle Books collection, with support from United Way of North Idaho, Mountain West Bank, Infinite Electronics, Alliance Data, Kiemle Hagood and the North Idaho College Cardinal Wrestling Team.