SARASOTA – PALS Partners in Education has teamed up with Borders to deliver new books to struggling readers this summer. The Borders bookstore at Paradise Plaza, a Sarasota County Schools business partner, has donated more than 1,250 new books purchased by their customers specifically for this project. The PALS office and Community Advisory Board is sorting the books this week (July 5-9) and coordinating delivery later this month to students at four summer-school sites and at Newtown Estates Park, which will host a “reading buddies” program July 22-Aug. 5 that pairs tutors with children.
The idea is to help struggling readers appreciate the joy of reading for pleasure by giving them a book of their own for their home library. The books will be delivered to students in voluntary pre-kindergarten, third-grade reading camps and students with learning disabilities at Gocio Elementary, Wilkinson Elementary and Oak Park School in Sarasota as well as Glenallen Elementary in North Port. PALS also will deliver books to children in a Sarasota County Parks and Recreation summer camp program at Newtown Estates Park in Sarasota.
“PALS trains volunteers as reading tutors and coordinates the work of the many business partners who help our schools, so this project is a perfect match with our mission,” said Ron Carr, president of the PALS Community Advisory Board. “I like to tell people that volunteerism is priceless, because its value is given freely. Business partners who work with our school system have given freely of their time, material and financial resources to enhance the lives of the young people in our community. The PALS Community Advisory Board encourages strong and sustainable relationships between our business community and our schools, because those volunteer partnerships are crucial to education and to the academic success of our students.”
Deborah Dennis, general manager of the Sarasota Borders store, said this is one of many local book drives the store has sponsored that have brought thousands of new books to area children.
“We’re proud to team with PALS and Sarasota County Schools on this important effort that will directly benefit students in our schools,” she said. “Developing early literacy skills sets the stage for a lifelong love of reading and brings a level of confidence students need to succeed in all areas of academic achievement. Because our customers understand the importance or reading, many of them have contributed to this project by purchasing a book to donate to a child who is struggling with early literacy skills. Our customers and staff are excited about making a difference in our community.”
Anyone interested in learning more about becoming a business partner or serving as a reading tutor or other volunteer in Sarasota County public schools may call the PALS Partners in Education office of the Communications & Community Relations Department at 941-927-4009 or visit the PALS web page.