BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — This month, you can help children in Buffalo learn during a pivotal time in their lives-- by giving them a book.
7ABC and the Scripps Howard Foundation are hosting the "If You Give a Child a Book ... ' campaign, presented by Milk for Health on the Niagara Frontier, Inc. The campaign runs September 2 through September 25. Every $5 donated puts a book into the hands of a local child.
The campaign is held each year among 7ABC employees. In January, our team donated more than 1,000 books to elementary schools in the Cheektowaga Sloan School Districtand hosted book fairs for students where they were able to pick out a book to take home for free.
We're extending the campaign to the Western New York community for the first time this year. 7ABC employees and the Scripps Howard foundation have raised $8,500. Can you help us match it?
7ABC has chosen Buffalo United Charter Schoolto receive books from the 2020 campaign. Students in Kindergarten through 8th Grade attend the school, located on Manhattan Avenue in Buffalo's LaSalle neighborhood.
Why donate?
Children hit a significant marker for educational success in third grade-- when they're only eight or nine years old. A child who can't read at grade level during this time is four times less likely to graduate from high school-- 13 times less likely if they are living in poverty. Additionally, 61% of low-income families have zero books at home.
Our campaign seeks to help all kids have the opportunity to read, by giving them books they can enjoy reading.
Remote learning should not be a barrier to kids accessing books. Scripps Howard Foundation is working with Scholastic Book Fairs to make sure that in-school, remote and hybrid teaching models all have access to book distribution.
Any donation amount makes a difference. Just $5 is enough to provide one book to a child. If you're interested in helping, you can donate here. You can also spread the word by sharing this article on social media using #Give7 and #BuffaloStrong.
