READ TO SUCCEED BUFFALO ANNOUNCES BOOK DRIVE
FOR INFANTS AND TODDLERS

 

BUFFALO, N.Y. – Read to Succeed Buffalo (RTSB) announced the launch of a book drive that will benefit local children who previously participated in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library program. The Imagination Library, a national program that mails an age-appropriate, free book every month to children under age 5 in targeted low-income ZIP codes, recently lost its funding in Buffalo and may shut down in April, negatively impacting 1,800 economically disadvantaged infants, toddlers and preschoolers. 

 

The book drive is being coordinated by RTSB’s board of directors and will run through the end of March. Members of the community who are interested in supporting the book drive may drop off new, age-appropriate books to the following locations during regular business hours:

 

  • Read to Succeed Buffalo – 392 Pearl St, Buffalo
  • Promark Associated Agencies, ROI Financial Group, & Sheridan Benefits – 7 Limestone Dr, Williamsville
  • Larkin Development Group – 726 Exchange St, Buffalo

 

“With the recent news that Imagination Library may be ending, the board wanted to step up to help RTSB staff continue their commitment to providing age-appropriate books the children they serve,” said Victoria Nappo, RTSB board member and health specialist with Sheridan Benefits.

 

Carmen Snell, Assistant General Counsel at BlueCross BlueShield of Western New York and board director at RTSB continued, “While Imagination Library is just one facet of RTSB’s programming, it has proven to be very valuable to participating families.  By collecting free books RTSB can continue to expose children in our programing to high quality, age-appropriate children’s books.”

 

Other local businesses taking part in the book drive, but not serving as drop off locations include Hodgson Russ, Bond Schoeneck & King, Phillips Lytle, Benderson Development, BlueCross BlueShield of Western New York, Delta Sonic, Nappo Financial Services and Uniland Development.

 

Those interested in donating can also call RTSB’s office at 716-843-8895 for more information.

 

About Read to Succeed Buffalo

Read to Succeed Buffalo, Inc. (RTSB) began in 2007 in response to the staggering literacy deficits among the citizens of Buffalo. Today, RTSB sharpens its focus where it can have the most impact – increasing early childhood literacy and 3rd Grade reading scores by preparing children for Kindergarten and the early grades through improved exposure to developmentally appropriate, literacy-rich environments wherever they are, including child care, Head Start, public school, or home with a parent or caregiver. The non-profit organization works to develop models for improving literacy that create systemic change in how the Buffalo community prepares children for success in school and supports them once they enter public school. For more information, visit www.readtosucceedbuffalo.org.

Read to Succeed Buffalo