Local generosity helps boost book donations for kids

Two nonprofits stepped in to fill the bookshelves for local students who benefit from Reading Partners North Texas

Reading Partners North Texas is a North Texas nonprofit that is committed to increasing childhood literacy and helping young students read on grade level through free tutoring in designated schools.

Part of that effort is making sure those students have books they can call their own. Much of that is made possible through the generous support of the community and Reading Partners volunteers, according to their Executive Director, Jennifer Quick.

“We recently noticed our bookshelves for stocking our Take Reading With You program were running low, so we reached out to area partners who we thought might be interested in helping us restock,” Quick said.

Those area partners, including Book Drive for Kids and Little Hands Book Bank, delivered.

Quick said their donations are critical for their Take Reading With You program.

“After each tutoring session, students are able to pick out a book to take home and keep permanently. Last year, we gave away almost 16,000 books to students participating in our program, and we anticipate giving away just as many this year. We stock our books with the help of the community - churches, schools, volunteers, stakeholders, and other community groups like Book Drive for Kids and Little Hands Book Bank,” Quick said.

She said those books are usually gently used or new and are distributed according to a student’s reading level. Each student also takes home a book report that they can complete with their family at home.

“When they bring the book report back, they get to add a sticker to our sticker chart. In increments of five stickers earned for completed book reports, they earn time for fun enrichment activities like Play-Doh and game time with their tutor at the end of their lesson. The kids get very invested and are motivated to beat their peers on the sticker chart and reach the next prize level,” Quick said.

Reading Partners North Texas is also getting ready to send the students they serve home with their summer book bags. Each student in the program goes home for the summer with six new books and other learning tools. That program is also supported by fundraising and support from local volunteers and community members.