INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — The Learning Alliance is conducting a “Page it Forward” book drive during the month of May, 2015. They are collecting gently used books for children ages one through 12 (up to grade 5.) The books will be given to children in the School District of Indian River County on Friday, June 19, 2015, at a series of celebrations on June 19, 2015 – National Summer Learning Day.
Currently, more than one-third of children are reading below grade-level in the United States. Inability to read is linked to poverty, dependence on welfare, unemployment, and crime. Studies show that access to printed materials has been found to be the “critical variable affecting reading acquisition.” However, these same studies show that on average, low income children often have no age-appropriate books in their home.
As a step toward achieving the School District of Indian River County’s Moonshot Moment goal to have 90 percent of children reading on grade level by the end of third grade in 2018, the Learning Alliance is working to ensure that all children will have books in their home. This will help to “stop the summer slide,” where children lose up to two months of learning over the summer.
It’s a great time to clean up the bookshelves and “page it forward” by donating today.
Drop off locations include, but are not limited to:
• Indian River Chamber of Commerce
• United Way, 14th Avenue, Vero Beach
• Marine Bank and Trust (offices on1450 US 1 and on Beachland Blvd. in Vero Beach)
• Riverside Children’s Theater, Riverside Park, Vero Beach
• School District of Indian River County District Offices – Vero Beach
• Fidelity Investments, corner of Beachland Blvd. and Cardinal Drive in Vero Beach
• Press Journal Office on US 1 in Vero Beach
• Longevity Fitness, Vero Beach
• Beach Bum Bagels, Downtown Vero Beach
White Glove Services has generously donated and is delivering the book storage boxes for the “drop off locations.” To be added as a drop off location, or to learn more about the Moonshot Moment and the book drive program, please visit moonshotmoment.org or contact Marie O’Brien of The Learning Alliance (mobrien@thelearningalliance.org) or call 877-548-READ.