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