UKIAH — United Way of the Wine Country held a children”s book drive in June in Mendocino and Lake counties to benefit local children who don”t have ready access to the library, or books at home.
The book drive exceeded expectations by collecting more than 850 books between the two counties. FIRST 5 Mendocino County and Lake Family Resource Center will distribute the books to children who participate in their early reading programs during the summer.
According to Stacy Ruppert, director of marketing and communications for United Way of the Wine Country, reading is one of the most important skills a child learns and is an indicator of future success.
“Low-income students who do not have access to books at home during the summer will lose the equivalent of two months of reading instruction compared to their middle and upper-income peers,” Ruppert said. “Over time, this summer learning-loss contributes to a widening achievement gap.” In order to increase high school graduation rates, United Way is working with partners on early school readiness. According to Ruppert, 65 percent of third graders living in Lake County are reading below proficiency levels, which increases to 73 percent of third graders in Mendocino County.
The book drive was sponsored by MendoLake Credit Union, Savings Bank of Mendocino County, JDSU and Exchange Bank. Book drop-off locations included the sponsors as well as Umpqua Bank branches in Kelseyville and Lakeport, Redwood Health Club in Ukiah, Redwood Credit Union in Point Arena and the United Way office in Ukiah (co-located at The Alex Rorabaugh Gymnasium and Recreation Center and the Boys and Girls Club).
“The enthusiasm and generosity demonstrated by our communities during the book drives show a great degree of support for children, especially those in need. While providing a book for a child may seem like a small act, the knowledge and inspiration a book provides can open a child”s life to endless possibilities,” Mari Rodin, United Way regional manager for Mendocino and Lake counties, said.
United Way of the Wine Country works to advance the common good along the North Coast of California in Sonoma, Mendocino, Lake, Del Norte and Humboldt counties. It mobilizes the caring power of these communities to address underlying problems, improve lives and build healthy, vibrant communities by focusing on issues surrounding education, income and health. For more information, visit United Way of the Wine Country online at www.unitedwaywinecountry.org.
