Books for Collier Kids (BCK), a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing a steady stream of new books to children in low-income families throughout Collier County, was recently awarded a $19,500 grant from Community Trust Fund of The League Club to ensure at-risk children have books at home to read, share and cherish.

“We’re grateful for The League Club’s generous grant ensuring Books for Collier Kids is able to provide 860 students a new, high-quality, age- and curriculum appropriate book each month of the 2023-2024 school year, helping these children bond with their loved ones and build a personal library,” details Books Chair Sallie Williams.

The $19,500 translates to 8,600 new titles for distribution to 860 children in pre-K, kindergarten, first and second grades at three Collier County elementary schools. Currently, 64% of the School District’s students are economically disadvantaged, more than half speak a language other than English at home and 15% have limited English proficiency. Without access to books in the home, children are at higher risk for academic failure, delinquency, teenage pregnancy, substance abuse, unemployment, low productivity and welfare dependency. READ THE STORY ON FLORIDA WEEKLY WEBSITE