Worcester: The City That Reads aims for 1 million books

• Posted by Worcester News April 27, 2022 - Filed in News - #Worcester  #Worcester Public Schools  #The City That Reads  #Worcester Public Library  - 2,174 views

  Worcester book drive could surpass 1 million books for children this year

  The 17th annual book drive by Worcester: the City that Reads Committee to collect books (PreK to grade  8) for summer reading kicked off with its theme of “Spring into Books” and will continue until the first of June.

  The Committee was founded by John and Anne-Marie Monfredo 17 years ago in an attempt to promote literacy in the community, put books into the hands of children who lack books in their homes, and to promote the importance of being a lifetime reader.  In 17 years, the group has given out over 980,000 books to Worcester children!

  

  Worcester Public Library (Facebook)

  According to John Monfredo, a former principal in Worcester and Worcester School Committee member said: “The last 2 years due to the pandemic we did not have any formal book drive, but with the slowing up of the pandemic it’s time to start up again.  There are more students that have come into our city from other countries during the past two years and still many other children lack the necessary resources at home.  Let’s try to hit that one million mark in collecting books for the children.”

  Traditionally, the books have been distributed to low-income students, social agencies, and groups with summer school programs. In addition, books have also been given to schools and groups during the school year for special projects such as a start up library at a school, Spanish books for the dual language programs, AVID programs, innovation school projects, SPED, two-way bilingual schools, and all HEAD START and pre-school school programs.  

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  Books in the past have also been given to Plumley Village, Rainbow Child Development, the African Education Institute, Worcester Housing, the Y.W.C.A., Y.M.C.A., all private and public pre-school programs, Head Start, Books for Babies program, as well as to church groups with summer reading programs, United Way programs and to many other social agencies.   This year books once collected and sorted will be distributed to the schools and other agencies prior to summer vacation. 

  “According to the research on literacy, studies clearly indicate that children in homes that have books are more likely to succeed in school, while children who don’t have adequate reading skills are much more likely to drop out of school.  One study found that the ability to read well is the single best indicator of future economic success – regardless of family background,” John Monfredo said. 

  Anne-Marie Monfredo, a former teacher, said: “We started this book drive to encourage the children in our community to develop a love for reading and to put books into the hands of those who have so few.  As the former secretary of education Richard Riley stated years ago, “If every child were read to daily, from infancy, it would revolutionize education in this country.’ ” 

  Children’s author Emilie Buchward said it best, “Parents play a vital role in this undertaking for children are made readers on the laps of their parents.” 

  More drop off sites have been added this year as well as more groups have come forward and are conducting their own book drives for the cause. The drive started at the end of March and will go until June 1st.    Groups involved in the drive as a site or having their own drive are as follows: 

  • Worcester Public Library – Main and Greendale branch
  • Southborough Public Library
  • United People’s Bank – all three branches in Worcester
  • Bay State Bank – six sites in Worcester
  • TD Bank on West Boylston Street
  • Shaws Market on West Boylston Street
  • Stop and Shop Market on West Boylston Street
  • Ecotarium 
  • Jewish Community Center
  • Starbucks Coffee
  • Tide Pool Bookstore
  • Worcester Public School Secondary Schools
  • Bancroft School
  • Notre Dame Academy
  • Worcester Academy
  • Fallon Health
  • Hertz Group Management
  • UMass Memorial
  • UMass Medical
  • St. Vincent’s Hospital
  • Worcester Credit Union
  • Boys-Girls Club
  • YMCA -both branches in Worcester
  • YWCA
  • AFL-CIO
  • Wachusett Recycling Center
  • Wilson Training Language Center
  • Mechanics Hall
  • Hanover Insurance
  • Worcester Railers
  • Worcester Woo Sox
  • Worcester Bravehearts
  • Austin Liquor on Gold Star Bld.
  • Fairlawn Hospital
  • Boy Scouts of America
  • Worcester State Univ.
  • Anna Maria College
  • Clark Univ.
  • Holy Cross
  • Quinsigamond Community College
  • Krav Mage School (Force Defense/Fitness)
  • Northboro Junior Women’s Club
  • Worcester Public Schools – Superintendent’s Office
  • Masis Staffing – 1331 Grafton Street
  •  A LISTING OF THESE SITES AND OTHER ADDITIONAL SITES CAN BE ACCESSED BY GOING TO THE FOLLOWING WEBSITES:  www.worcesterschools.org 

  For more information, or if other schools or businesses are interested in helping out please call John or Anne-Marie Monfredo at 508 853-3444 or emailing monfredoj@gmail.com.  Remember, everyone can help in this most worthwhile community service project and bring the joy of reading to every child.  As the Monfredo’s said, “ No skill is more crucial to the future of a child or to a community, than literacy.”

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