Second Annual Read to Succeed Book Drive a Success

<?xml:namespace prefix="st1" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"?>Lincoln? The University of Nebraska Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and generous Husker fan combined for a successful partnership, bringing students in Lincoln Public Schools more books in their homes for the second year in a row thanks to the second annual “Read to Succeed” Book Drive.<?xml:namespace prefix="o" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office"?>

The Book Drive was a great success, resulting in approximately 1,000 new or used books, and bringing the grand total to 2,600 when combined with last year’s success.

"The student-athletes are so proud to have sponsored the second annual ?Read to Succeed’ Book Drive," Student-Athlete Advisory Committee President KoKo Tacha said. "In conjunction with visiting schools across Lincoln for American Education Week, it gives us such a great opportunity to serve our community. As student athletes, I can’t think of a better way for us to spend our time than promoting a love of reading and literacy right here in Lincoln. As college students, we can see the benefits of reading every day. We’re glad that Nebraska fans helped put books in the hands of Lincoln children and parents with their participation in ?Read to Succeed.’"

In addition to the more than 1,000 new and used books, $3,446 in cash donations given by Husker fans were collected by student-athlete volunteers at three athletic department events, including the Wednesday, Nov. 15 volleyball game against Texas A&M, the Friday, Nov. 17, women’s basketball game against Cal State Fullerton, and the Saturday, Nov. 18, men’s basketball game against Creighton. This year’s cash donations were almost seven times last year’s cash donations.

The cash donations allow teachers to purchase brand new books at the Scholastic Book Fair, where they are able to buy books at half price, thus bringing the total for purchasing new books to $6,898 for this year alone.

The Lincoln Public Schools Ventures in Partnership program will assist the student-athletes in the distribution process, making sure the books get into the hands of those students who are in need of books in their homes. 

"We were very excited to have partnered with the Husker student-athletes on this project for another successful year," Principal of Belmont Elementary school and a member of the LPS Ventures in Partnership Committee Deb Dabbert said. "The 2006 Student-Athlete Advisory Committee Book Drive was one of the most successful ventures coordinated to benefit Lincoln Public Schools. 

“This has given us the opportunity to send books to the homes so parents can read to students and students can read to parents. When we get families involved, it increases the child’s achievement success. All books will be provided to Title 1 Lincoln Public Schools who will then provide each student with new or used chapter books to take home and keep home to promote a lifelong love for reading."