Monfredo: Worcester - The City That Reads - 10th Annual Book Drive and The Goal is 32,000 Books
Saturday, March 28, 2015
Last year was outstanding for we collected over 32,000 children’s books. Traditionally, the books have been distributed to low-income students, social agencies, and groups with summer school programs. In addition, books have also been given to schools and groups during the year for special projects such as a start up library at a school, AVID programs, innovation school projects, SPED, two-way bilingual schools, and all HEAD START schools.
Books last year were also given to Plumbley Village, Rainbow Child Development, the African Education Institute, Worcester Housing, the Y.W.C.A., Y.M.C.A., all private and public pre-school programs, Books for Babies program, as well as to church groups with summer reading programs, United Way programs and to many other social agencies. After the drive in May the books will be distributed to the schools during “Reading In Our City Week” initiated by “Worcester: the City that Reads” during the second week in June.
In an attempt to spread the importance of literacy in our community this year we also would like the schools and the Worcester Public Library to conduct a book swap when they return from their summer break as a way of continuing the importance of reading throughout the year. We want to keep the books circulating.
According to the research on literacy, studies clearly indicate that children in homes that have books are more likely to succeed in school, while children who don’t have adequate reading skills are much more likely to drop out of school. One study found that the ability to read well is the single best indicator of future economic success – regardless of family background.
We started this committee to encourage the children in our community to develop a love for reading and to put books into the hands of those who have so few. As the famous Walt Disney once said, “There is more treasure in books than in the entire pirate’s loot on Treasure Island. We as a community need to reach out to our parents and children and encourage read alouds, reading at home, reading in the park, and reading for fun.”
We all know that reading serves as the major foundational skill for all school based learning. As a former principal I strongly recommend the emphasis be placed on early childhood literacy from birth to age eight. These are critical years for literacy development in linking a child’s success in learning to read. Children’s author Emilie Buchward said it best, “Parents play a vital role in this undertaking for children are made readers on the laps of their parents.”
More drop off sites have been added this year as well as more groups have come forward and are conducting their own book drives for the cause.
Please donate a new or gently used books, Pre-kindergarten to grade 8, at the following sites from now to May 15th.
People’s United People’s Bank ( (all six city branches) including the town of Shrewsbury,
Worcester Public Library
Commerce Bank (all four city branches) including Holden
Bay State Savings Bank (all branches)
Bank of America ( at Tatnuck Square)
TD Bank ( all branches)
Stop and Shop on Lincoln Street
Stop and Shop on Grafton Street
Stop and Shop on West Boylston Street
Shaws Market on West Boylston Street
RSVP and the Senior Center on Vernon Street
Worcester Credit Union
Starbucks Coffee on one West Boylston Street and in Auburn
Panera’s on West Boylston Street
Austin Liquor at Gold Star Blvd
Jewish Community Center on Salisbury Street
Leader’s Way – Kung Fu Academy on Burncoat Street
Greendale YMCA
Main Street YMCA
Bagel Inn on Main Street in Holden, Ma.
St. Vincent’s Hospital at the entrance door on Summer Street
Summit Elder Care on Grafton Street
Worcester Public Schools School Committee Office – 20 Irving Street
Worcester City Hall at the City Manger’s Office
Anne’s Books Shop on James Street in Worcester
In addition, as of this writing, the following businesses and organizations will be having their own book drive in an attempt to assist the children of Worcester. “We hope more organizations will also join in by calling me at 508 853-3444”, stated John Monfredo
Houghton Mifflin Hartcourt Publishing Company
UMass Medical
UMass Memorial
Reliant Medical Group on Plantation Street in Worcester
Worcester Public School High Schools… Burncoat High, Doherty High, North High, South High, Claremont Academy, University Park Campus and Worcester Technical High.
Wachusett High School
Bancroft School
St. Peter-Marion
Holy Name High School
St. John’s High School
Notre Dame Academy
Worcester Academy
Venerini Academy
Boy Scouts
Girl Scouts
Hanover Insurance
Harvard Pilgrim
Little leagues of Worcester
UNUM insurance
Fairlawn Rehabilitation Hospital
Wilson Language Training Center
You, Inc.
The following colleges and universities: WPI, Clark University, Holy Cross College, Becker College, Worcester State University, Anna Maria College, Assumption College, and Mass. College of Pharmacy, and Salter College, and Quinsigamond Community College.
AFL/CIO Labor
Northboro Junior Women’s Club
A LISTING OF THESE SITES AND OTHER ADDITIONAL SITES CAN BE ACCESSED BY GOING TO THE FOLLOWING WEBSITES: "http://www.worcpublib.org" www.worcpublib.org OR www.worcesterpublicschools.org
For more information, or if other schools or businesses are interested in helping out please call John or Anne-Marie Monfredo at 508 853-3444. Remember, everyone can help in this most worthwhile community service project and bring the joy of reading to every child. Remember No skill is more crucial to the future of a child or to a community, than literacy. Please be part of this project!
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