The annual “Give a Kid a Book” program will continue in 2020 despite the coronavirus pandemic, according to its sponsor, The Friends of the L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library.
The program donates books each holiday season to local community agencies that support families in need. The goal each year is for every child in need to receive a new book during the holiday season.
The program is based on the belief that books provide children with priceless memories of adventures, historical figures, creativity and knowledge, the group said in a press release.
The program will partner this year with two local businesses, Volume One’s The Local Store and RCU. The Local Store, 205 N. Dewey St., is a drop point for new unwrapped books, through Dec. 8. RCU has been a past partner in this program as part of its support of literacy programs.
Ways to get involved
There are several ways to get involved with this program, in addition to dropping off books at The Local Store, One is to mail a donation to the Friends of the Library (400 Eau Claire St, Eau Claire 54701) or to contribute online at https://www.ecpubliclibrary.info/friends/programs/give-a-kid-a-book/. Members of the Friends group will use the donations to shop for books.
Participation is also possible through the Books-A-Million (BAM) holiday book drive through Dec. 13.
Suggestions for new books to donate include board books for babies, easy picture books for ages 2 to 5, and fiction and non-fiction books for ages 6 to 18. Audiobooks for all ages up to 18, as well as books written in Spanish and Hmong, are also welcome.
More information is available from Stacy Yearous by phone at 715-831-5301 or via email to stacyy@eauclaire.lib.wi.us.