Book Drive for Goodwill Childhood Literacy Program Starts Feb. 1

Help bring the joy of reading to children who may not otherwise have books in their homes. A drive to support Goodwill’s BookWorks childhood literacy program starts Feb. 1 and runs through March 15. People in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Polk, Hernando, Marion, Sumter and Highlands counties are asked to donate children’s books in good condition or make a donation to purchase books for the program.

10 News/WTSP-TV, the Tampa Bay Times, WMNF 88.5 FM Community Radio, as well as Q92 FM and US 102.3 FM in Ocala are sponsors of Goodwill’s book drive.

Goodwill’s BookWorks program promotes literacy by putting books into the hands of children from low-income families. Goodwill volunteers read to children at Head Start centers and other locations and then present each child with a personalized book to take home. Last year BookWorks volunteers presented books to more than 29,000 children from needy families.

To donate books, attach a note indicating they are “For BookWorks” and drop them off at any Goodwill-Suncoast store or donation site in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Polk, Hernando, Sumter, Marion or Highlands counties. For donation locations, visit www.goodwill-suncoast.org or call toll-free 888-279-1988.

Another option is to make a monetary gift to purchase new books for the program. Just visit HERE to make a donation.

To volunteer for BookWorks, call 888-279-1988 and ask for BookWorks or email bookworks@goodwill-suncoast.com.

Goodwill’s BookWorks program is designed to instill a love of books and reading in children to prepare them to succeed in tomorrow’s workforce. Because early childhood literacy is linked to later employability, BookWorks supports Goodwill-Suncoast’s mission of helping people achieve their full potential through the dignity and power of work. Visit www.goodwill-suncoast.org/bookworks for more information about BookWorks.

Goodwill Industries-Suncoast is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that was founded in St. Petersburg, Fla. in 1954. Its mission is to help people achieve their full potential through the dignity and power of work. The organization’s successful donated goods retail operation helps support its human services in 10 counties, including employment services, training centers for people with disabilities, affordable apartment communities, and community corrections programs. Goodwill is consistently ranked among the nonprofits most deserving of support based on the high percentage of revenue allocated to its programs. For more information, visit www.goodwill-suncoast.org.

A Day of Family Fun for Less!

Donate to Goodwill for discount admission to the Florida State Fair

Starting Jan. 27, each person who donates to Goodwill Industries-Suncoast will get a coupon good for $2 off regular adult admission at the Florida State Fair. Each coupon is good for up to four discount admissions.

A discount coupon will be given to each person who drops off a donation at Goodwill-Suncoast stores or donation sites, or “Rounds Up” their Goodwill purchase. The discount applies to tickets purchased at Fair admission gates and may not be used for advance ticket purchases.

For each coupon redeemed, the Florida State Fair Authority will donate $1 to Goodwill to support job training and employment services.

The Fair runs Feb. 9 – 20 at the Florida State Fairgrounds, 4800 U.S. 301 N., Tampa, and features the largest Midway in the United States, free concerts, lots of animals and exhibits and plenty of deep-fried everything!

For a list of Goodwill-Suncoast stores and attended donation sites, please visit our website at www.goodwill-suncoast.org.

Goodwill Industries-Suncoast is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to help people achieve their full potential through the dignity and power of work. The organization’s successful donated goods retail operation helps support its human services in 10 counties in West Central Florida including employment services, training centers for people with disabilities, affordable apartment communities for seniors and people with disabilities, and community corrections programs. For more information, visit www.goodwill-suncoast.org.