Drive boosts JPS Summer Reading Program
JACKSON, Miss. – “Reading is Jackson Mayor Harvey Johnson Jr. as he addressed a small crowd at the United Way of the Capital Area kickoff of its “Pages Of Promise” summer reading book drive, Friday, May 21, at the Eudora Welty Library downtown.
The program supports students who cannot afford or do not have access to the Jackson Public Schools’ required summer reading books. With this drive, The United Way is trying to make additional books available at local libraries.
“It’s so important for the community to help us do this,” said Carol Burger, the President and CEO of United Way of the Capital Area. “Our goal is 1,000 books, but we think we can achieve more than 1,000 with community support.”
United Way board official Judge Robert Gibbs explained that it is important to keep children interested in reading. He said it is a known trend that once a person began to experience difficulties with reading; he or she has a tendency to drop out of school.
Gibbs, other board members and the mayor all brought books to add to the collection during the kickoff.
Burger thanked The Clarion Ledger and McDonald for co-sponsoring this effort, along with several other area business partners who are helping to push this drive, including the Jackson-Hinds Library System itself.
The effort will also feature summer reading book clubs, contests, etc. throughout the summer.
United Way and its sponsoring partners want the public to help them collect JPS Summer Reading books for children living in the our featured Community.
Those who would like to participate can drop off books from the schools reading list at any McDonald’s in Jackson. United Way will pick the books up and distribute them to local libraries.
According to United Way of the Capital Area website, organizations may host a drive to help.
For marketing materials or for more information, contact mandy@myunitedway or shawna@myunitedway The telephone number is (601) 948-4725.
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