Goodwill is launching a Central Florida book drive next month to support the company’s BookWorks childhood literacy program.
Children’s books in good condition may be donated or monetary donations may be made to purchase books for the program. The book drive begins Feb. 1 and runs through March 15.
Donated books may be dropped off at any Goodwill store with a note attached that says, “For BookWorks.” The closest store to The Villages is at 11954 County Road 105, Oxford, which is near Wal-Mart on County Road 466.
Last year, 2,807 children in Sumter County and 6,475 children in Marion County received books through the BookWorks program.
“In many cases, these were the first books these children ever owned,” said Chris Ward, of Goodwill Industries-Suncoast. “Donations make the program possible and the book drive is the source of many of the books to be presented to children during the coming year.
To volunteer to work with BookWorks, call 888-279-1188 or email bookworks@goodwill-suncoast.com.
The program is designed to improve the future employment prospects for children by instilling a love of reading and books.
Besides Sumter and Marion counties, other participating counties include Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Polk, Hernando and Highlands.
Goodwill’s donated goods retail operations help support human services in 10 Central Florida counties. Services include employment assistance, training and job placement for people with disabilities; a children’s literacy program; affordable apartment communities for seniors and people with disabilities; and community corrections programs.
