As a child, I would escape for hours at a time within the pages of a good book. Reading allowed me to experience magical and far off places, and encouraged creativity. It’s hard to imagine not having books to read as a child.
With many parents facing the struggle of putting food on the table for their families, buying books is a luxury parents cannot afford. Not only is reading fun – it also helps kids become more imaginative, develop their language skills, learn about their world, and even perform better in school!
It hurts my heart to think there are kids missing out on the joy and many benefits of reading.
Not too long ago, Laura and I were chatting with the director of Glascock Action Partners, and Family Connections and Community in Schools for our County. Wanda had expressed a need for children’s books, as they prepared for a book giveaway to coincide with open house at our county school. This book giveaway was being held in hopes of encouraging more children in our community to read.
Shortly after learning about the upcoming book giveaway, I was contacted by The Motherhood and asked to team up with Kellogg’s and Champions for Kids for a #Fuel4School SIMPLE Service project and organize a book drive in our community. I couldn’t believe how perfect the timing was, and excitedly agreed to participate.
I participate in this program on behalf of Champions for Kids and The Motherhood. All opinions are my own.
Our challenge was SIMPLE. Find an organization in need of books, then reach out to friends and family and collect books to donate. I was so touched by the support we got for our #Fuel4School SIMPLE Service Project. Laura and I were able to donate 25 books for the book giveaway, along with some back issues of National Geographic Kids Magazine.
Our friends at the GAP were thrilled with the donation which arrived just in time for the book giveaway later that week. Giving the gift of books was an amazing experience for Laura and me.
Youth Director, Jennifer, who in the picture with me above, along with Wanda, and all the people who work and volunteer at Glascock Action Partners do so much for our community. They run a free after school program, food pantry, clothes closet, annual toy drive, and many other programs that are vital to our community. Laura and I are happy to help them out any little way we can. Even the simple gift of books can mean so much to someone else.
What is Champions for Kids?
Champions for Kids is a non-profit that seeks to meet the kids. They make it simple to give children in local communities the resources they need to thrive. They encourage everyone, people like you and me, to help kids through SIMPLE Service Projects. Helping others does not have to come in large doses.
Champions for Kids seeks to ignite generational change by fostering a ‘habit of giving’ among youth and parents in America. The core values of Champions for Kids are simple, yet profound, and drive their efforts to “mobilize millions” to help children — All children should have: Someone who cares; a Place to belong; Hope for tomorrow and provisions for their journey. All children.
It’s a beautiful thing! Right now, from July 18 – August 18, Champions for Kids is partnering with Kellogg Company to encourage #Fuel4School community projects across the country benefiting children in need. Called SIMPLE Service Projects, the idea is to host or organize an event to collect gently used or new books that you would then donate to a local organization that serves children in need, such as a library, an after-school program or daycare center.
Are you feeling inspired to do your own #Fuel4School community project?
Not sure where to start? Champions for Kids shares 4 easy steps for helping kids thrive in your community with your own #Fuel4School community project!
Special FREE BOOK Offer from Kellogg Company and Scholastic
I encourage you to take advantage of a a special FREE BOOK offer from Kellogg Company and Scholastic. You can get a free book or donate one to the school of your choice! Choose from more than 50 Scholastic books, including bilingual titles, for children of all ages. Follow these simple steps:
1. Look for a code inside specially marked Kellogg’s® cereals and other Kellogg’s® products sold at Walmart.
2. Enter the code online.
3. Order your free book or choose to donate it to the school of your choice.
#SIMPLEGiving Twitter Party
The Motherhood is joining Champions for Kids along with Kellogg Company and Walmart for a #SIMPLEGiving Twitter Party to spread the word about a simple way we can help ensure that kids in our communities enjoy access to books that will help them thrive!
When: Monday, August 4, 2014, at 1p ET / 12p CT / 10a PT
Where: We’ll be on Twitter – follow the #SIMPLEGiving hashtag to join the conversation. You can see the details and RSVP via this invitation: http://bit.ly/1zCig4g
Hashtag: #SIMPLEGiving
Prizes: Five prizes will be given to randomly selected participants who answer the trivia questions correctly. Each prize includes a $50 Walmart gift card.
Hosts: @theMotherhood, @theMotherhood25, @CooperMunroe, @EmilyMcKhann
Sponsor: @Champions4Kids
I’ll be there for the #SIMPLEGiving Twitter party and hope you will too!
Great program!!! So glad you can share this with others! I will share it as well!
This is such a great program. I know the power books have to change lives so I am glad to learn about this program.