The BYU Bookstore will be sponsoring the third annual “Christmas Literacy Giving Tree” to help collect books for the United Way of Utah County Sub for Santa Program.
The Sub for Santa Program provides gifts for families in the local community who need help for Christmas. Books collected will be added to other United Way Sub for Santa donations for distribution to families and special needs adults.
The “Christmas Literacy Giving Tree” kick off will occur in conjunction with the BYU Bookstore’s Christmas Preview Night on Tuesday, Nov. 10, from 5 to 9 p.m.
The Sub for Santa Program aims to provide a book for each family member, regardless of age. Bookstore guests wishing to participate may give any new book (with the exception of self-help, religious or political books) and will need to specify at the register that the book is for the “Giving Tree.” The cashier will set the title aside for delivery to Sub for Santa in December.
The “Giving Tree” is an easy way for the BYU campus community to select and purchase books for donation to the program.
“Children from needy families frequently do not receive reading books from school or home,” said Janet Nelson, United Way Representative for the BYU Bookstore. “This is the great way to encourage reading and literacy among families in need, hopefully inspiring a long-term desire to learn and facilitating the decision to further their education and attend college.”
In December of 2008, through the generous donations of sponsors and donors, the United Way of Utah County Sub for Santa Program was able to provide Christmas for 2,000 families, which included more than 5,400 children. Ninety books were donated last year to the program through the “Giving Tree,” thanks to our Campus Community.
“Working at the BYU Bookstore, I have seen first-hand the benefits a book can bring into peoples’ lives,” said Nelson. “We hope the campus community will be excited to give the gift of literacy and share these benefits with those who may not otherwise enjoy them this holiday season and in the holiday seasons to come.”
For further information regarding this story, please contact Becky Lindsay at the BYU Bookstore at becky_lindsay@byu.edu or 801-422-2551.
Writer: Rebecca Lindsay
