May 1 began United Way’s 4th Annual Children’s Book Drive that will run until the middle of June.

For six weeks United Way, along with their partners Books Are Wings, a book collection nonprofit out of Pawtucket, will be collecting gently used and new books for all youth ages to distribute to various summer and after school learning programs statewide.

The drive goes to the June 12 and on June 20, as a part of United Way’s global Day of Action, volunteers will sort all of the donations by age and genre. Last year alone the drive collected 22,000 books and United Way has collected 64,000 books in the last three years.

Through their partnership with Hasbro Summer Learning Programs, the drive annually helps more than 1,600 students.

The book drive started as an initiative of United Way’s Women’s Leadership Council. Council members were concerned about childhood literacy and wanted to do something to promote literacy and the love of reading.

Sandi Connors, executive vice president and Director of Strategic Marketing and Communications for United Way, said, “We want to put books in the hands of children to help them develop a passion for reading.”

She said that, statewide, 30 percent of fourth graders are reading below proficiency and that for lower income families that percent jumps up to 42. If children are not reading proficiently by third grade they are four times less likely to graduate from high school. She said having access to books at a young age is crucial and childhood literacy “profoundly affects their futures.”

Anthony Maione, president & CEO of United Way of Rhode Island, said in a press release, “United Way remains committed to ensuring that all children have access to the tools they need to gain the skills that lead to success in the classroom and in life, and that often starts with a love of reading.” 

New to the drive this year is an Amazon Book List, where those who want to donate but may not have books to do so can purchase books through the list and it will be delivered directly to United Way’s office.

This year they are also looking for books concerning S.T.E.M. subjects, science, technology, engineering and math for grades 5 through 9 for focused programs.

Donations can be dropped off at United Way’s headquarters at 50 Valley Street, Providence, and large donations from businesses and organizations can be dropped off on Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Those interested in arranging a drop-off or hosting a collection may contact UWRI at bookdrive@uwri.org.

For more information on the Amazon Book List, volunteer opportunities and United Way visit www.uwri.org.