'Early Readers' book drive aims to boost underprivileged literacy

Posted by Jayme Blaschke
University News Service
June 30, 2010

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 drive in July.

The goal is to collect more than 5,000 books for young readers. To reach this target, the Center for P-16 Initiatives and SOAR have partnered with United Way of Hays County Success by Six to encourage book donations in English and Spanish. Books will be distributed through the Hays County Head Start, WIC, and ECI programs in San Marcos.

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

"Our goal is to make sure that 1,800 children under the age of five have books in their home and a backpack,” said Phyllis Snodgrass, president of the San Marcos Chamber of Commerce.

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

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

For additional information, contact Michelle Pope at (512) 245-9336.