Dunbar Elementary School Book Drive

The Dunbar Elementary School auditorium was packed on May 27^th for Philadelphia Children’s Foundation’s second book drive.  Students from grades kindergarten through eighth, assembled to accept the 1,000 books that were donated.  Because of the partnership created between PCF and Borders bookstore, we were able to deliver the books that Borders donated to the children in the area who could use them most. 

Dunbar Elementary School’s Principal, Claudette Stone Williams, was present to accept and distribute the donated books.  She was accompanied by PCF’s Executive Director, John Bannan and Pennsylvania State Senator Shirley Kitchen.  Senator Kitchen delivered a speech on the importance of reading, encouraging the students to keep good reading habits now, which will greatly help them in the future.

Our first book drive, held at Kinsey Elementary was a great success and motivated us to keep finding ways to get books into the hands of more kids in the area.  Businesses on Germantown Ave such as the Trolly Car Diner, Lemons and Limes, Mr. Peepers Eye Optical and others, collected about 200 books, and more were donated through our annual Regatta. Thanks to their generous donations, we were able to donate more than 900 books!  State Senator Leanna M. Washington was also there, offering her support. 

The access children have to books is key in defining their educational progress both during the school year and the summer recess.  When kids fall short of their reading level, it is not because they lack the ability, but rather due to the inability to acquire new reading materials and/or insufficient outside motivation.  It is an unfortunate reality that kids experience inaccessibility to books, many times due to not enough funding for local libraries, and the cost of books at major book retailers.  Book drives are a great way to get books into the hands of the kids that need them!

We would like to thank everyone involved, and eagerly encourage all those who would like to support future book drives.  Whether you are from a local business who can donate or a school interested in getting involved, you can find out more by contacting Tia Diggs at: tdiggs@philadelphiachildrensfoundation.org.