United Way collects more books this year during children’s book drive

More than 96,000 books were donated during United Way of Treasure Valley’s third annual children’s book drive in April.

More than 500 volunteers helped clean and sort the donated books at a large warehouse on Fairview Avenue in Boise, donated by The Sundance Company. The books were categorized by grade level and distributed to nearly 100 local organizations that serve children, including schools, daycare centers, libraries, after-school programs and health clinics.

Volunteers represented numerous civic groups, businesses, schools and faith-based groups. Members of the Boise High football team and Meridian Medical Arts Charter School Key Club, among others, also volunteered to clean and sort books.

“People and organizations from every corner of the Valley and beyond came together to help make the children’s book drive a success this year,” said Nora Carpenter, CEO and president of United Way of Treasure Valley. “Right now is the perfect time to get books into the hands of kids so they have reading materials during the summer months, which can help prevent summer learning loss.”

Dozens of local organizations, including Albertsons and U.S. Bank locations, helped collect books with their employees and customers, and donated them to the children’s book drive.

This story was originally published May 18, 2017 at 8:51 AM with the headline "United Way collects more books this year during children’s book drive."