Donate children's books for TTU Make a Difference Day event

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. (Oct. 22, 2003) — Tennessee Tech University students, faculty and staff plan to “make a difference” in the lives of pre-school aged children in Putnam County this Saturday, Oct. 25.

Campus groups have joined forces to organize a children’s book drive as part of the nationwide Make a Difference Day event this Saturday. Earlier this month, students, faculty and staff began donating and collecting slightly used and new books to be given to the Putnam County Head Start and Putnam County Preschool programs.

“It is critical that young children and their families be encouraged to read a variety of print materials,” said Sandy Smith, director of Teacher Education at TTU. “An emphasis on family literacy and the development of early literacy skills is a shared responsibility. Children who have access to books have greater opportunities to develop their reading and writing competencies. Early literacy development is critical in today's world. Children must be provided the opportunities to successfully interact with print for pleasure and for information.”

Volunteers will organize the books for distribution from 1-3 p.m. Saturday in TTU’s Roaden University Center OVC Room. At the same time, students and faculty members will host a reading party for young children of TTU students and employees. Volunteers dressed in character costumes will read to the children, paint their faces, and supply snacks and art projects.

Members of the university’s Student Government Association and Service Learning Committee worked with the Community Services Agency to organize the project, which is part of a national event designed to encourage people to perform service activities in their communities. Make A Difference Day is billed as the largest national day of helping others, and is sponsored by USA WEEKEND Magazine in partnership with the Points of Light Foundation. Saturday marks the 13th annual Make A Difference Day.

Books can be donated through Saturday at the TTU Roaden University Center information desk. For more information, contact Christina Redman at 372-3394.

--Monica Greppin
This information posted 22 October 2003