Governor Bush Launches Third Annual Season's Readings State Agency Holiday Book Drive

GOVERNOR BUSH LAUNCHES THIRD ANNUAL SEASON'S READINGS STATE AGENCY HOLIDAY BOOK DRIVE

~~ Annual book drive collected 34,000 books in 2004 ~~

Governor Jeb Bush today launched the third annual Season's Readings state agency holiday book drive. The Season's Readings program collects and distributes new and like new children's books to community programs, schools, family literacy programs and not-for-profit agencies supporting children's reading activities.

"Donations of children's books are needed more than ever this year due to the hurricane damage incurred by many schools, homes and community organizations," said Governor Bush. "This holiday season, I encourage everyone to give the gift of reading to our children."

The Season's Readings state agency book drive is a partnership between Just Read! Florida and the Governor's Family Literacy and Mentoring Initiatives, under the Volunteer Florida Foundation. Since 2003, the State of Florida has collected thousands of books for children, including 34,000 books in 2004 alone. The Season's Readings project is a national partnership between Verizon, Scholastic and the National Center for Family Literacy. Nationally, Season's Readings has collected more than 1.8 million books for children in five years.

Books may be donated at collection centers stationed at 209 Florida state agency sites throughout the state. Donations will be accepted at these sites through January 13, 2006. New books may also be purchased for delivery at specific sites by going online at Barnes & Noble, www.bn.com/verizonedge .

For more information about the Season's Readings program or to get involved with providing books to children in your communities, please visit www.myflorida.com or www.volunteerfloridafoundation.org . For more information on the nationwide Season's Readings effort, visit .

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