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OREM — Utah readers are getting tons of help, actually 10 tons of help in the form of donated books.
A Utah company, which donates books all over the world, is working to fill a need in its own backyard through KSL’s Read Today initiative.
“This is so wonderful and exciting that we can have these books to give to the kids, and that they can read them,” said Sharon Sheffer, who works at Summit Elementary School.
World Wide Book Drive staged an event at an Orem warehouse to provide more than 40,000 books to schools in the Read Today program.
“Through partnering with KSL’s Ready Today we have accomplished something greater than most people will in a lifetime, and I think that says a lot for what we are doing right here in our state,” said Chuck Richards, director World Wide Book Drive. “And it starts right here.”
That's 8 miles of books that would stretch from Salt Lake City to Murray.
Last year, World Wide Book Drive donated 300,000 books across the world. Some of the places include the Philippines, Fiji and Africa.
“So many people don't have access to books all over the world, so it’s a lot of fun to feel like you’re providing people with learning materials,” said Erin Mccawley, book manager for World Wide Books
Wednesday, it was about reaching children in local communities.
“If we want the people of tomorrow to be prepared for tomorrow, we need to invest in them, and that starts with every single person here in Utah,” Richards said.
And while the numbers of all these books are impressive, the important thing is getting them in the hands of a child.
"For the school it's going to be great because that means the kids can have books that they can take home and keep," Sheffer said.
World Wide Book Drive recycles and redistributes books that might otherwise end up in landfills. So, if anyone has used books that your kids have outgrown, don't chuck them, donate them.
