The public is invited to share the love of reading by donating books to children in need Books for will be collected at an event on March 2, 2024 in Blue Back Square in West Hartford.

Submitted

Celebrate Dr. Seuss’s birthday on March 2 by donating a new or gently used children’s book at the Connecticut Education Foundation’s (CEF) Read Across Connecticut Book Drive.

CEF, the charitable arm of the Connecticut Education Association, is collecting books for children in kindergarten through grade 12 on March 2 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Blue Back Square in West Hartford.

CEF, iHeartMedia, and Blue Back Square have planned a fun day for kids and parents who drop off new or used books for the book drive. Radio personality Renee DiNino will be on site with the iHeartCommunities team with giveaways, music, games, and more. There will also be children’s craft projects, a special Dr. Suess story time at 11am inside Barnes & Noble, face painting, balloon animals, and more!

According to data collected by the U.S. Department of Education, the percentage of children who read for fun on their own time almost daily is at its lowest point in 40 years, since the question was first asked in 1984. And decades of research confirm the correlation between childhood poverty, lack of access to reading resources, lower reading proficiency, and the struggle to complete high school and prepare for the world beyond.

Share the joy of reading by donating a book to a child in need with the Connecticut Education Foundation, iHeartRadio, and Blue Back Square.

For further information, contact Nancy Andrews at 860-725-6317, [email protected].

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