The United Way of Delaware, Henry & Randolph Counties doesn’t just support pre-existing non-profit programs through our donations. The United Way also has its own programs and events to further its Bold Goal of ending generational poverty. An important part of achieving this goal is through education and grade-level reading initiatives. Even in the midst of the adversity presented by the Coronavirus Pandemic, United Way stood strong and adapted to the challenges to safely provide books to hundreds of children.
Summer 2020 Book Giveaway
Summer learning loss continues to be a significant hurdle as United Way works to ensure all third graders are reading at grade level by 2024. On average, children lose up to three months’ worth of academic gains throughout the summer months. Data shows the “summer slide” particularly effects children from low income households where families lack the resources to provide enriching, extracurricular learning experiences.
To directly address this barrier to grade level reading, United Way organized its third annual Summer Book Giveaway Program in May of 2020. Based on a program out of Atlanta, Georgia, this evidence-based book giveaway strategy provides children with a large number of books that they choose themselves. While this typically is organized like a book fair, United Way staff pivoted the program in light of COVID-19. After working closely with the principals and teachers from Grissom, Longfellow, and South View Elementary Schools, all 1st, 2nd and 3rd grade students were able to virtually select 12 high quality, age appropriate books to add to their home libraries for free.
United Way staff gathered at Second Harvest Food Bank to assemble the book orders. Then, MCS administrators utilized their e-learning distribution system to deliver the books to their students. In total, 7,320 books were placed into the hands of our community’s children to help fight summer learning loss and place children on the pathway to grade level reading and future success. Thank you to our dedicated donors who have helped make this program possible.
To help our United Way to be able to continue and expand this wonderful event for years to come, please consider donating to the 2020 United Way Ball State Employee Campaign by visiting https://www.bsu.edu/web/unitedway/how-to-give or texting BSU20United to 91999. More Campaign details can be found at https://www.bsu.edu/web/unitedway. To learn more about the specific efforts of United Way of Delaware, Henry, and Randolph Counties, visit https://www.invitedtoliveunited.org/.