Help Placer Kids Become STAR Readers Through United Way Book Drive

Local residents can help Placer County kids reach for the stars by participating in United Way California Capital Region’s 3rd Annual STAR Readers Book Drive March 2-21. The drive benefits the group’s STAR Readers project that is working to increase graduation rates by improving early reading skills. STAR Readers nonprofit partner Boys & Girls Club of Placer County will receive a portion of the donated books.

The online book drive gives donors the chance to purchase an $8 bundle of three books for 650 children in kindergarten through third grade. Those who purchase books will receive a promotional code for a discounted admission to Runaway Stage Productions’ “Seussical the Musical.” To purchase books, visit www.yourlocalunitedway.org.

The drive kicked off off at Fairytale Town on March 2 as part of Fairytale Town’s Dr. Seuss’ Birthday Celebration. Actors from Runaway Stage Productions performed excerpts from their “Seussical the Musical." Guests who brought a children’s book to donate received a discount coupon to use on a future visit to Fairytale Town. The books will be donated to the STAR Readers Book Drive.

During the March 2-21 book drive, Clear Channel Radio will be collecting books at Sacramento-area Huntington Learning Centers that will be donated to United Way’s STAR Readers Book Drive. Participating locations include Citrus Heights, Elk Grove, Folsom, Roseville and Sacramento.

United Way is partnering with Runaway Stage Productions, Fairytale Town, The Sacramento Bee, Huntington Learning Center, Scholastic, Sacramento Public Library, KSTE Talk 650 and KFBK News Radio. All books donated online or through events will be delivered to United Way’s STAR Readers project nonprofit partners: Amador-Tuolumne Community Resources, Boys & Girls Club of Placer County, Boys & Girls Club El Dorado County Western Slope, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Sacramento, Davis Bridge, New Morning Youth and Family Services, Yolo County Children’s Alliance and Sacramento Chinese Community Service Center.

For 90 years, United Way California Capital Region has actively worked to address the community’s most pressing issues, now focusing on innovative solutions related to high school graduation rates, household financial stability and obesity. United Way’s team of nonprofits, businesses, donors and volunteers are working together to provide positive, measurable results on these issues through United Way projects: STAR Readers, $en$e-Ability and Fit Kids. Community members can give, volunteer and advocate in support of the causes they care most about, benefiting United Way and hundreds of nonprofits in Amador, El Dorado, Placer, Sacramento and Yolo counties. United Way is an independent, local affiliate of United Way Worldwide. For more information, visit www.yourlocalunitedway.org.