Miami Beach Furthers Its Commitment to Increasing Children’s Literacy

(Miami Beach, FL) Mar 12, 2019 -

A strong advocate for increasing children’s literacy, the City of Miami Beach has partnered with The Children’s Trust to grow its participation in the Read to Learn Books for Free program by hosting ongoing book drive bins at the city’s fire stations.

“Access to engaging and age-appropriate literature is the cornerstone of good reading habits,” shared Mayor Dan Gelber. “Through this initiative, our residents can be instrumental in filling shelves in our public spaces and putting books in the hands of children —so they can read, re-read and keep forever.”

From juvenile court to parks and community centers, the literacy initiative delivers over 4,500 books weekly to 60 shelves throughout Miami-Dade County.

“Every book donation helps us change the startling statistic that only one out of every 300 urban children has a book in their home,” expressed Read to Learn Books for Free Coordinator Amanda Giust. “The City of Miami Beach has completed the circle by providing a place for residents to donate gently-used children’s books, and providing bookshelves stocked with free books for our children and families to take home.”

Donation bins are located outside each of the four fire stations on the urban island, including Station 1 at 1051 Jefferson Avenue; Station 2 at 2300 Pine Tree Drive; Station 3 at 5303 Collins Avenue; and Station 4 at 800 69 Street. Baby books, first readers and pictured books are highly encouraged.

For more information, visit www.miamibookfair.com/readtolearn.