NEWS RELEASE

The Learning Alliance is conducting a “Page it Forward” book drive during the month of September. They are collecting gently used books for children ages birth through grade 5. The books will be given to children the School District of Indian River County.

Currently, over 1/3 of children are reading below grade-level in the United States. Inability to read is linked to poverty, dependence on welfare, unemployment, and crime. Studies show that Access to printed materials has been found to be the “critical variable affecting reading acquisition.1 However, these same studies show that on average, low income children often have no age-appropriate books in their home, while their middle-income peers have an average of 54 books and higher-income peers have an average of 199 books.

As a step toward achieving the School District of Indian River County’s Moonshot Moment goal to have 90% of children reading on grade level by the end of third grade in 2018, we are working to ensure that all children will have books in their home!

It’s a great time to clean up the bookshelves and “page it forward” by donating today.

Drop off locations include:

Sebastian River High School

Indian River Academy (formerly called Highlands Elementary), south County

Northern Trust Bank, 755 Beachland Blvd, Vero Beach

United Way, 14th Avenue, Vero Beach

Riverside Children’s Theater, Riverside Park, Vero Beach

School District of Indian River County District Offices – Vero Beach

Fidelity Investments, corner of Beachland Blvd. and Cardinal Drive in Vero Beach

Scripps Press Journal Office on US 1 in Vero Beach

The Jungle Club, 1060 Sixth Avenue, Vero Beach

Indian River County Healthy Start, 333 17th St. Suite 2R, Vero Beach, FL 32960

Vero Beach Elementary School, corner of 12th Street and 20th Avenue

Vero Beach Museum of Art, 3001 Riverside Park Drive, Vero Beach