For the Rapids City Times

WISCONSIN RAPIDS – Childcaring is proud to have helped collect over 20,500 books over the last four years of Once Upon a Book Drive, for Wisconsin children in need. You are invited to help put quality literature into the hands of young children by donating new and gently used children’s books.

“We know that introducing books to children at a young age encourages a lifelong love of books. Each year we hope to collect more books for local children,” said Kelly Borchardt, Childcaring executive director.

Once Upon a Book Drive focuses on supporting early literacy, because it is a crucial skill that is strongly linked to a child’s success later in life; it is especially important during the first few years of a child’s life as their brain develops most rapidly.

Donated books must be appropriate for children from birth to 12 years, with an emphasized need for infant/toddler and bilingual books. Childcaring will distribute collected books to locally and statewide.

You may buy and ship books through AmazonSmile to donate a percentage of your purchase to SFTA, or donate books in person at the following donation sites: Childcaring, Inc., 1107 W. Grand Ave., Wisconsin Rapids; Childcaring, Inc., 1500 Merrill Ave., Ste. 201, Wausau; Lester Public Library of Vesper, 6550 Virginia St., Vesper; and T.B. Scott Free Library, 106 W. 1st St., Merrill.
The drive runs now through Aug. 31.