Promoting literacy, the love of reading, and distributing free books to underserved neighbors in our community!
Did You Know?
- According to the most recent Kindergarten Readiness Assessment only 42% of children in Washington County entered school "fully ready to learn"?
- Owning books is critical to intellectual and social development and research shows that reading aloud to kids is THE single most important act you can do to help prepare a child for learning.
- The risk of not graduating high school increases if a child is not reading on level by 3rd grade.
- Literacy is critical to economic development as well as individual and community well-being.
What We Do
We procure new and gently-used books and distribute them to underserved communities throughout Washington County. When were not collecting and sorting books, you can find us in local neighborhoods, nursing homes, summer camps and after-school programs. Our partner organizations include Boys & Girls Club, Girls, Inc., Hagerstown Day Nursery, Lasting Change Recovery Solutions for Women and many other organizations. To date, we have distributed over 15,000 books in the community!
Our Partnerships
United Way of Washington County works with companies, nonprofits, community leadership and other organizations to address complex challenges in our community. However, our partners contribute more than money. Their volunteer power, in-kind support, ideas and more are helping to build a stronger, more resilient Washington County. By working together, we can Live United!
The "Ladies for Lasting Literacy" program at Lasting Change volunteer at a local day care reading to the littles. Their dedication to giving back to the community is inspiring and they are truly making a difference in these precious lives!
When school is out for the summer, you can find us at local summer camps or visiting the WCPS Meal Machine sites. Not only do the kiddos receive a meal, we hand out books to keep them learning and engaged!
