Deb Harms promotes family literacy in Samoa

Speech-language pathologist Deb Harms goes to American Samoa several times a year to work with children and families. She brings books for children; after her latest trip, she reported to me that families love the books and are reading to their children daily. How incredibly uplifting to know that instead of gathering dust on American bookshelves, these books are in the hands of families in a developing area of the world!

Jadelann Juan donated books in the Philippines!

Jadelann Juan, a speech-language pathology student at Sacramento State, brought over 350 books  to these beautiful Filipino children. Jadelann, thanks for hauling books halfway around the world in your suitcase! It is so uplifting to see children receiving their very own books!

Dorothy Rich brought books to children in El Salvador

Dorothy Rich, a student in Sacramento State's Dept. of Speech Pathology and Audiology, brought books to these precious children in El Salvador as part of her mission trip. Dorothy, thank you for your heart for children and literacy! This is so awesome!!

Lorena Velasco, thanks for sharing books in Nicaragua!

On a mission trip to Nicaragua, speech-language pathologist Lorena Velasco shared children's books from our book drive. She gave them to children in New Life Orphanage, Tesoros de Dios (school for children with special needs), and Havila School. I am just thrilled that the books, so generously contributed by donors, have found their way into the hands of these beautiful kids. Thanks for sharing, Lorena!

Debbie Harrell puts Kids First

Debbie Harrell from Bayside Church in Granite Bay and her beautiful family came and picked up hundreds of children's books! Debbie works at Kids First in Roseville, which reaches out to at-risk families and meets multiple needs. Debbie and family, I love how you support children at risk, including their need for literacy! It is great working with you!

Thanks, North Davis Elementary School!

 North Davis Elementary School donated 628 books for our book drive. We would like to thank Lynn Aiello, the librarian technician at the school, who contacted us about sharing extra books with Yolo County families after sending 1,000 books to both Ghana and Botswana to build libraries. Students and families from both North Davis and Korematsu Elementary Schools generously donated the books. Great timing--now local children will have summer reading material!

Marisol Sanchez from the Center for Families received the books--she will help distribute them to agencies in Davis, Woodland, Esparto, Winters, and Knight's Landing.

Thanks again so much, Lynn Aiello and North Davis Elementary School!

Over 71,000 books collected! Thanks, Orangevale Library!

My husband Mike and son Mark received over 2,000 books from Orangevale Library's annual book sale today. This puts our total collection at over 71,000. I can't wait to find new homes for all these books--out of our garage and into the hands of children! What a great start to the summer.