NASHVILLE, TN — During the week of Sept. 21–26, community members came together to donate over 10,000 new or like-new children’s books and raise $43,000 in donations for The Big Book DRIVE, hosted by children’s literacy nonprofit Book’em.
All donations support Book’em’s mission to get books into the hands of Nashville kids who dream of being book owners. Children growing up in homes with at least 20 books will stay in school nearly three years longer than children growing up with no books in their home, not taking into account parent’s education, occupation and socioeconomic status.
Book’em supports making literacy growth and ongoing learning a reality for children across Nashville. Through the Reading Is Fundamental program, Book’em is able to provide books and reading role models for students in more than 250 Metro Nashville Public Schools elementary classrooms.
To celebrate Book’em’s Big Book DRIVE, on Saturday, Sept. 26, members of the Mayor’s Office, Metro Nashville Public Schools representatives and Director of Schools Dr. Adrienne Battle participated in a parade of Magic School Bus-themed cars filled with book donations.
Lisa Spencer with News 4, Ketch Secor from Old Crow Medicine Show, local author Mary Morgan, and award-winning Olympic figure skater Scott Hamilton judged the car parade to chose the best themed car. In addition, we awarded Metro Nashville Police Department the winner of the Battle of Badges!
To learn more about Book’em and ways to get involved, please visit online at www.bookem-kids.org.
