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Each year on the third Monday in January, we celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s life and legacy by serving our neighbors and giving back to the community. This year, United Way of Greater Houston and Houston ISD are partnering for a community book drive for elementary students in classrooms across the city. Our focus is to collect books featuring diverse characters, and written and illustrated by people of color. Additionally, we are inviting volunteers to share why service is important to them by submitting an online note.
Here are some note samples:
- “Service is important because it brings a community together.”
- “Serving the community makes me happy.”
- “I like volunteering with my family because we can help others together!”
“Diversity in the literature we provide to our students emphasizes the importance of a broad range of experiences. Each one of our students should see themselves reflected in the books they read. But it’s also important that they encounter new perspectives that open windows to new worlds.” - Houston Independent School District Interim Superintendent Grenita Lathan
The books and inspirational notes will be given to Houston ISD students in February 2020. Students will be able to take the books home and build their personal home library.
The drive will begin January 4 and end on January 31.
Follow the link to United Way of Greater Houston to donate new children’s books.
If you have questions, please contact Emily Faron, efaron@unitedwayhouston.org
Contact
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Community Partnerships
4400 West 18th Street
Level I, SE
Houston, Texas 77092-8501
Telephone: 713-556-8477
Email:Partners@Houstonisd.org
Get Involved
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Donate a Book!
Go to United Way to donate new children’s books through our online wishlist! Be sure to include your name and email address on a gift note so we can thank you for your donations.
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Host a Drive!
Host a drive within your company or community organization. Visit United Way” to access promotional fliers, email templates, and sample social media posts to use.
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Give a Donation!
Donate money using United Way's online donation page. At the conclusion of the drive, we will use all the donations to buy more books at a bulk discounted rate.
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Share a Note!
Write a note to a Houston ISD elementary student about why service matters to you and how we can all honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy through service.