First Book-Syracuse University Campus Advisory Board provides more than 3,000 new books to community literacy programs serving Syracuse children

First Book-Syracuse University Campus Advisory Board provides more than 3,000 new books to community literacy programs serving Syracuse childrenApril 27, 2004Arlene Melchiorreamelchio@syr.edu

The First Book-Syracuse University First Book Campus Advisory Board (CAB) will award 3,333 new books to four literacy programs that serve children from low-income families in Syracuse. The new books will be given to the children for their personal ownership.

The literacy programs in the Syracuse that were awarded the book grants include the Hamilton Street Boys & Girls Club, Syracuse Northeast Community Center, Partners In Learning Inc. and the Westcott Community Center Kids Club.

The First Book-Syracuse University CAB is part of First Book’s national network of community volunteers who support First Book’s mission. Comprised of volunteers from all sectors of the campus community, the First Book-Syracuse University CAB works to promote and facilitate the distribution of new books to literacy programs in Syracuse and Onondaga County.

“As a First Book CAB, CPCS has the privilege of distributing books to children in a variety of ways,” says Pamela Kirwin Heintz, director of SU’s Center for Public and Community Service. I hope we can begin to excite children about reading and help make a positive impact on the literacy needs in our community.

“All children love having their very own books, and our students love being able to find ways to give books to children who might otherwise not be able to have them,” says Heintz.

First Book is a national nonprofit organization with a single mission: To provide low-income children with their first new books. In 2001 First Book distributed more than 7 million books to children in approximately 700 communities throughout the nation.

On campuses across the country, First Book Campus Advisory Boards unite leaders from all sectors of the college community to provide books to children in literacy programs, shelters for battered children, housing project initiatives, soup kitchens, afterschool programs and other community-based efforts reaching children living below the poverty line. For more information about First Book, or to donate a book to a needy child online, visit http://www.firstbook.org.

For more information on First Book-Syracuse University efforts to continue to bring the magic of books and reading to children or to make a contribution for the purchase of new books, contact Arlene Melchiorre at 443-3051.