More than 1,100 Lamar and Delta County children received free books during April, thanks to local retired public school employees.
The Texas Retired Teachers Association (TRTA) announced this year’s Children’s Book Project, a statewide effort to place books into the hands of children who might not otherwise have their own.
Twenty-six members of Lamar-Delta Retired Teachers and School Employees Association (LDRTSEA) visited 10 schools, read books to 1,140 Pre-K and Kindergarten students, and gave each student a book to take home.
“This is a fun undertaking, and as lifelong educators, we love encouraging children to read,” said Paula McVay, Children’s Book Project chair for the LDRTSEA. “Reading fosters knowledge and opens up the imagination. Every child should have books to call his or her own.” She also shared this quote by children’s author Michael Rosen: “A Child. A book. A read. A chat. This is the way the mind grows. Not with a test but a tale.”
The TRTA has sponsored the book drive every year since 1998, soliciting book donations from its own members, community partners and even children themselves through a special student-to-student initiative. Last year, the program delivered 144,237 books to Texas youth.
About TRTA: The Texas Retired Teachers Association (TRTA) is the nation’s largest organization of retired public school employees. TRTA advocates improved benefits for current and retired public education employees and seeks to advance the well-being of its members through community involvement and legislative advocacy efforts. The association is always accepting new members; for more information on TRTA, its membership opportunities and projects in the community, visit www.trta.org or call 1.800.880.1650. For more information about Lamar-Delta Retired Teachers and School Employees Association, please visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063673446014
