Books for Collier Kids, was recently awarded a $24,800 grant from Christ Child Society of Naples.
“We are deeply grateful for the funds,” shares Chair Sallie Williams. “We applied for $13,800 to ensure two new, age-appropriate books for 1,700 Collier children, plus 500 layette books and 16 books for 100 youngsters in newly built Habitat for Humanity Homes, but have appreciatively received nearly double that amount from Christ Child Society of Naples and now will be able to provide four books to 1,700 Collier kids!”
Currently, more than 90% of children in Collier County’s Title I elementary schools are economically disadvantaged and benefit from BCK’s free book program. Without new books to read, share and cherish, these kids are at greater risk for academic failure, delinquency, teenage pregnancy, substance abuse, unemployment, low productivity and welfare dependency.
“Our new grant process allows Christ Child Society of Naples to provide supportive funding to other nonprofits in Collier that serve two distinct initiatives: children’s basic needs and children’s education,” details Co-President Valerie Palmieri. “We are proud of our engagement with Books for Collier Kids and we wish to continue to support their efforts for children’s education.”
Christ Child Society Naples is a passionate, multi-denominational non-profit organization committed to serving the children in need of Collier County. The Naples charity is one of 46 chapters nationwide and was founded in 1997 by a small group of dedicated women.
Books for Collier Kids provides new books to children in-need, addressing one of the most important factors affecting literacy: access to books. Launched in 2005 as First Book-Collier County, the charity has distributed more than 2 million new, high-quality, age-appropriate and personalized books to pre-K, kindergarten, first- and second-grade students to enhance their literacy development.
The all-volunteer charity partners with more than 20 local organizations, including the Collier County Public Schools, Fostering Success, Fun Time Early Childhood Academy, Habitat for Humanity of Collier County, Guadalupe Center, Grace Place for Children and Families and Christ Child Society of Naples. A full $.91 of every dollar donated is spent on books for Collier kids.
For more information, please call Sallie Williams, Board Chair at 239.394.4062. To learn more about 2 Million books for Collier kids in 20 years, please visit BooksforCollierKids.org.