NORFOLK, Va. - Thousands of new books are being distributed to kids across Coastal Virginia thanks to the generosity of News 3 staff and community donations.
Through the Scripps Howard Foundation's "If You Give A Child A Book..." campaign, employees and viewers are asked to make donations to put books into the hands of local kids.
2020 marked the first year News 3 took part. Our staff and viewers stepped up big time, raising more than $15,700 for this important childhood literacy initiative.
That money translated to 6,300 new books purchased for kids of all ages in our area. Throughout the E.W. Scripps company, 165,000 books were purchased for kids across the nation.
News 3 partnered with REACH, Inc.to distribute the books.
"Childhood literacy is incredibly important when we're looking at how a child will develop later on in life. The first, you know, zero to five years for a kid is incredibly magical when it comes to brain development. So these books, going to the hands of kids and having access and ownership is huge," REACH, Inc. executive director Dr. Jenny Goff explained to News 3 anchor Todd Corillo.
Justice Avelino of Portsmouth is one of the kids who received books this week.
"I feel happy when I get a new book because I get like an adventure when I learn about the book," he shared with Corillo.
Twins Honor and Honest Page were also ecstatic to receive their new books.
"Personally for me, I think reading opens up a whole new world of imagination that you can turn into your own," Honor shared.
"I think reading very relaxing, it helps me calm down like when I’m anxious and stuff," Honest added.
You can learn more about the "If You Give A Child A Book..." campaign here.
