Support Literacy with a Simple service project #NickCFK Book Drive #cbias

If you've followed our blog for a while, you know I absolutely love reading! I'm a book-a-holic! But I wasn't always so in love with reading. It took a long time before I found my niche in the literacy world. Before I developed my love for reading, I not only hated reading, I hated school. I didn't like going, I didn't like studying and I didn't try to excel. It's amazing what a simple love of reading can do! After I fell in love with reading, I also fell in love with school, studying and the opportunities for my life really opened up! I didn't want my kids growing up hating books, reading and school. And one way to ensure they will love reading is having a variety of books on hand that fit their interests. But not everyone has this opportunity. That's why I joined forces with Nickelodeon and Champions for Kids in a simple service project to help support literacy and let you know what simple things you can do that make a big difference! 

Why is Literacy so important?

Well, that my seem like an odd question, but did you know that  he U.S. Department of Education found that, generally, the more students read for fun on their own time, the higher their reading scores? The higher their reading score, the better they perform in school and in life later on. 

When you offer the opportunity for your children to read for fun, with books that peak their interest, you are supporting their ability to improve their own literacy and open doors for their future! Are you providing your children the opportunity to read for fun? 

In our home our kids are required to read for 20 minutes a day. So yes, it's mandatory, but they are allowed to choose any book they want. And quite often our kids can also be found to ask to stay up a few minutes at bed time so they can read a little more! How can I say no to that? 

I also found that in my boy's school they are often allowed time to read on their own in the classroom. They have the opportunity to pick a book from the classroom's personal library and read. Yet the last time I was at the school, I noticed some of the books were well worn, or there was a lower number of books than I expected. I want my kids to have the resources they need to continue their love for reading, so I wanted to do something. 

How you can support literacy with a simple service project.

I'm not one that is really good at organizing a huge event with three kids in tow, but I can easily do simple service projects and have my kids be involved. That's why I love Champions for kids! They always have a simple service project that really doesn't take a lot of time or money on your part, but in the end makes a huge difference when everyone works together. Last time we participated in a simple service project and donated school supplies to a teacher in need. 

This time Champions for Kids has teamed with Nickelodeon to organize a big help book drive. The goal is to gather new or gently used books and donate them to a local school or organization that could benefit from such a donation! It doesn't have to be a huge event or cost tons of money! Just a little time, and a generous heart! 

I went off to Walmart to look for some great books that I could donate to our local classrooms. I have to say I'm a little saddened by the decrease in children's books at our local Walmart. It used to have so many more books. But even still I was able to find a few.

Although, my kids and I love Nickelodeon books the selections were very slim. I especially wanted the new Dora the Gymnast, but couldn't find it anywhere. The Store associate didn't have a clue what I was talking about either. Maybe we just live in too remote of a town? 

I was able to find a really fun display of Halloween books in the Halloween department. My boys always love these types of books. But sadly, this small display front and back had more children's books than the entire Walmart book section. 

Even still I was able to find some books that would perk my kid's attention. So I knew they would be great for a classroom. 

Making sure each book has a good balance between words and pictures and full of characters that my children love, I started to pick out the new books I wanted to donate.

You can see my entire shopping experience and all the books I discovered from my Google+ Book Drive album. 

I think I did pretty well, because when I got home, my boys saw these books and they were begging me to let them have them! Well, no. Sorry. Not this time. I buy them a lot of books, but even still they were jealous of these new ones. So I think the lucky students who end up with these in their classrooms will be very happy. 

How to make more out of a literacy simple service project.

Now if all you are able to manage is simply buying a few new books and donating them to an organization; that is fantastic! Your support is very much appreciated and it makes a big difference! But if you have more resources, why not try to make your donation even bigger!

I've been asking around to friends and neighbors if they have any gently used or new books that they can donate to the cause. I even went through our own children's library and found a few more to add to the collection. We're starting to get a good collection, but I'm not satisfied yet!

I'd love to be able to fill this box full of books and have my children help me donate them to their local school! I'm still waiting to hear back as to how they could best be used, either in individual classrooms, or in the library. But either way, it will be amazing to help out our local school with providing fun books that the kids can enjoy and increase literacy abilities. So be sure to come back next week and see how our donation goes!

How you can get involved with Supporting Literacy in your community.

You don't have to be a blogger with a large audience like me to make a big difference. We are ALL just one in a million. But even a small act by one can affect millions in an incredible way. See what gently used or new books you have laying around that you could donate to a local school, library or shelter! Or just go buy a handful of new books! It doesn't have to be big or expensive! You just have to have a willing heart! 

Learn more about Champions for Kids online and follow them on Facebook and Twitter.

You can learn more about Nickelodeon's part in supporting literacy by following them on Facebook and Twitter. 

You can also follow #NickCFK on Twitter to see what other people are doing to support literacy in their own community!

And when you are finished with your simple service project, don't forget to share it with Champions for Kids! 

Are you ready to participate in the Big Help Book Drive in your own community? 

How are ready to be one of millions to help Champions for kids meet their goal of 20 million people by 2020?

What location in your community would you like to support by participating in the big help book drive to support literacy? 

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I am a member of the Collective Bias™ Social Fabric® Community. This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias™ and Champions for Kids. #NickCFK #CBias. However all opinions are my own and only the best products, services and service projects are published on JadeLouise Designs. And I highly recommend participating with Champions for Kids.