BOOKS FOR CHILDREN
COLLECTS NEW BOOKS TO PROMOTE LITERACY
THE MISSION:
Southern Hills started the Books For Children program in 2000 as a way to reach out to children in the Lexington community, to promote literacy and a love of reading through book ownership, and to get books into the hands of children that need them the most.
HOW IT WORKS:
Every year, from November 1st through December 8th , BOOKS FOR CHILDREN collects new books for children, from infants to 12-years-old, for the annual drive. Organizations that work with children request books from the program. BFC volunteers then collect, sort and deliver the books to the agencies who then distribute them to the children.
HOW THE BOOKS ARE USED:
Some groups use the books immediately as a holiday gift. Others use them 
throughout the year in conjunction with tutoring programs, incentives for struggling children, birthday gifts, monthly literacy nights, etc. All the books are given by agencies that stress literacy and its importance to a child's future success. For many children this may be the only new book they have ever owned and may be the only new book they will receive that year.
WHO RECEIVES BOOKS:
Some of the many organizations that have benefited from BOOKS FOR CHILDREN are:
| The Nest |
Head Start |
| Nathaniel Mission |
High Street Neighborhood Center |
| Family Resource Centers |
Step by Step |
| Grace Coleman Center |
Early Learning Village |
| Young Parents Program |
Health Department |
THE NUMBERS:
To date, more than 27,000 books have been distributed to children in Fayette, Jessamine and Scott counties. Most years 3,000 - 4,000 books are donated.
HOW TO DONATE:
BOOKS FOR CHILDREN has many convenient drop-off locations, including all branches 
of the Lexington Public Library and Southern Hills United Methodist Church. When books are purchased for BOOKS FOR CHILDREN at Joseph-Beth Booksellers and left for pick-up participants receive a 20% discount.
Cash donations are also accepted. Checks need to be made payable to: BOOKS FOR CHILDREN; c/o SHUMC; 2356 Harrodsburg Road; Lexington, KY 40503. All donations are tax deductible through Southern Hills United Methodist Church.
WHO IS INVOLVED:
Community Partners are Southern Hills United Methodist Church, Joseph-Beth Booksellers, the Lexington Public Library, UK College of Education, The Quantrell Auto Group, and Rainmaker Advertising.
VOLUNTEER OPORTUNITIES:
Books For Children is run solely by volunteers. Many people are needed to help with organizing and planning, sending out letters, handling drop-off locations, sorting books, and delivering books.
MORE INFORMATION:
Contact Karen Sandberg through Southern Hills United Methodist Church at 277-6176.
SUMMARY:
Southern Hills wants to provide all children with an opportunity to discover the magic between the pages of a brand new shiny book that is theirs to keep. Books open a child's world to opportunities and possibilities and dreams and that is the gift that everyone gives when they give a child a new book.
