USC Teacher Education community joins area businesses in
book drive for local children
Pueblo -- Putting books in the hands of local children is the goal of a
coalition of Pueblo businesses including teacher education staff, faculty and
students at the University of Southern Colorado.
Over the next month, the groups will sponsor Bring a Kid a Book (BAKAB), a drive
that raised 775 books last year. Organizers hope to reach this year's goal of
1,500 books by Dec. 24 to be donated to children at three high-need Pueblo area
elementary schools. Donations in excess of those necessary for individual
distribution will be made to Media Centers at local schools.
"As educators we understand the importance of every child becoming a
competent and skilled reader," said USC President Ronald Applbaum.
"What better way to accomplish this than to ensure that each and every
child has a book to read?"
Donations should be new or just-like-new books suitable for elementary-age
children such as novels, chapter books, picture or predictable books, classics
and guided readers. Books and gift cards for books can be purchased at a
discount from Barnes & Noble or Hastings book stores and left for BAKAB
volunteers to pick up. Books also can be dropped off in BAKAB boxes on the USC
campus, 2200 Bonforte Blvd.; Pueblo Community College, 900 W.Orman; Parkview
Medical Center, 400 W. 16th ; Saint Mary Corwin Hospital, 1008 Minnequa Ave.;
and The Bingo Palace, 226 E. Abriendo Ave.
For those with multiple donations, or who are housebound, please call 549-2681
and leave a message for BAKAB to pick up your donations. For further
information, please call the USC Teacher Education Program at 549-2681 or email
escudier@uscolo.edu.
The University of Southern Colorado is a regional, comprehensive university
emphasizing professional, career-oriented, and applied programs. Displaying
excellence in teaching, celebrating diversity, and engaging in service and
outreach, USC is distinguished by access, opportunity, and the overall quality
of services provided to its students.
