MOORESTOWN, N.J. (KYW Newsradio) — March is National Reading Month and a South Jersey state senator is collecting books so children in low-income households can build their own libraries at home.
Developing a love for reading at an early age is one of the keys to success for a child. That’s why Burlington County state Sen. Troy Singleton encourages anyone who has books to spare to drop them off at his office so they can end up in the hands of kids who need them.
“This idea is to just make sure that no child who wants to read and needs a book can go without a book. That’s where the book deserts come in, and that’s what we’re fighting to end,” said Singleton, who partners with nonprofit BookSmiles for the book drive.
The senator says he will be in contact with schools and teachers about distributing the books he collects, and identifying students who could use books to build their collection at home. He also hopes new partnerships with community nonprofits will further promote literacy.
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“We ask folks, ‘Hey, hold a book drive,’ like we’re doing. Let’s collect some more and be able to disseminate them out to the community,” he said.
“Instead of junking them or just leaving them in a box in the basement, let’s just give them and get them recirculated and put them into good hands.”
If you have an old box of books in the basement or a closet collecting dust, Singleton asks you to drop it off at his office at 400 North Church Street in Moorestown. Donations will be accepted Mondays through Fridays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. until March 24.