CENTER VALLEY, Pa. – The annual children’s book drive to benefit the Penn State Lehigh Valley (PSU-LV) THON efforts is back and will run through early February.
Members of the PSU-LV community are encouraged to stop by the campus and drop off lightly used books for children of all ages. Books can be placed in the yellow drop boxes in the second floor student lounge.
From there, the collected books will be distributed through the Reading Rocks program at St. Luke’s University Health Network.
PSU-LV student and THON President Brianna Peters said the collection is a great way to give back to the community.
“For our organization, we are always looking for unique ways to involve everyone, not just ourselves, but the entire community of faculty, staff and students,” said Peters. “The book drive connects everyone in a very diverse way. And the great thing about donating books is that it helps people get rid of things they might not want anymore. We involve as many people as possible, which is what we always want to do. It is a tradition to organize this fundraiser on our campus.
Once again, Howard Kulp, a University alumnus and longtime campus donor, pledged $ 1 per pound to PSU-LV to benefit THON – a commitment he has made for over 10 years. For the Reading Rocks program, children who come to St. Luke for various appointments receive a book when they leave to help them develop a taste for reading.
Kulp said the book drive was a victory for all involved.
“I thought it was an interesting thing to do – involve Penn State students in reading and have them collect books,” said Kulp, a former chair of the campus advisory board. “This is important because it allows elementary students in Lehigh Valley to get books and an interest in reading, and it helps the students at PSU-LV to raise money for THON. “
Books for Kindergarten to Grade 7 children are preferred, and donors can donate as many books as they wish. Peters said a donor had deposited 111 pounds.
For more information on collecting books, contact Peters at bkp5251@psu.edu.
Last updated on October 26, 2021
