'The Big Book Give' will help support Tallahassee's Title I elementary schools
Affluent elementary schools in Leon County have thousands more reading books in classrooms than what are called Title I elementary schools, which are marked by low-income families.
In turn, the stark contrast creates a daunting reality: A widened achievement gap.
Now, school board member Alva Smith, who represents District 1, is asking the community to help her address this concern with the "Big Book Give" fundraiser.
In a previous interview with the Tallahassee Democrat, Smith said the drive will help address the "book disparity" between the district's Title I schools and non-Title I schools, like those in her district of northeast Tallahassee, sandwiched between Thomasville Road and Mahan Drive.
“By donating a new book, each of us contributes to a child’s educational journey, opening doors to knowledge, imagination, and a brighter future,” Smith said in a news release. “These donations will create lasting resources that empower our students and strengthen our community.”
The fundraiser will launch at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 16, with a news conference at Tallahassee's Midtown Reader bookshop. The public is encouraged to bring new books or purchase them in the store and donate.
Book donations will be accepted through Nov. 30, with the support of the Foundation for Leon County Schools and KPMG, an international consulting firm that has already donated $10,000.
“KPMG is honored to support the Big Book Give and the Foundation for Leon County Schools to further encourage reading among children in our community," said Maggie Mickler, managing director of KPMG's Tallahassee office.
"KPMG firmly believes that literacy has a profound effect on a child’s lifelong success, and we are grateful for the opportunity to partner on such an important cause,”
How to donate
∎ The public is asked to donate new books or money to purchase them. Donation bins will be set up in Capital City Bank branches, Midtown Reader and St. John’s Episcopal Church downtown.
∎ To donate, go to secure.qgiv.com/for/bigbookgive.
Alaijah Brown covers children & families for the Tallahassee Democrat. She can be reached atABrown1@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter/X:@AlaijahBrown3.