For the love of reading: Big Book Drop.
United Way runs one of the most robust and meaningful volunteer programs in the region. While the connections our volunteers experience are profound, what truly matters is how these activities benefit individuals and families in need. This includes access to books that spark a love of storytelling, setting children up for a lifetime of curiosity, adventure and learning.
At our recent Big Book Drop event, volunteers sorted, labeled and packed 35,000 children’s books. The books were distributed to 110 literacy-focused organizations including early learning centers, libraries and schools. The books feature relatable characters and positive themes and are selected for age groups based on the organizations’ requests.
Since 2019, Big Book Drop volunteers have packed 214,000 books for area youth. For the third year in a row, hundreds of those books went to East End United Community Center in Uniontown, where Casey Sirochman directs the 21st Century Community Learning Center. This free after-school program runs Monday through Thursday at two locations and is open to students in grades one through five.
Students in the program enjoy academic enrichment opportunities outside of the school day and receive a healthy meal. Casey said kids get to take home three books at the end of the program as a reward. While the community center has books onsite for students to read, Casey says the students are “overjoyed” when they get their very own books.
Casey called early literacy skills “critical” to a young person’s outlook in life and for building the foundation for success in any career and in life.
Wendy Koch, United Way’s senior director of regional engagement, explains that United Way’s focus on early literacy as a pathway to success is the core of Big Book Drop.
“At United Way, we know that reading is one of the most effective ways to support early brain development and improve school readiness in children. Guaranteeing access to high-quality books is just one way we’re working to give every child in our region a strong foundation to succeed,” Wendy said.
At United Way, we know that reading is one of the most effective ways to support early brain development and improve school readiness in children. Guaranteeing access to high-quality books is just one way we’re working to give every child in our region a strong foundation to succeed.
Lifesteps, a nonprofit social services agency based in Butler County, utilizes books received through Big Book Drop in numerous ways. Stacy Slater, the organization’s early education vice president, said the books grow the libraries in classrooms and provide age-appropriate and exciting books. Lifesteps surveys families about book access at home and offers books to households in need of reading materials. Books from Big Book Drop are also part of the graduation send-off packets for every Lifesteps preschool graduate, Stacy added.
Penn Hills-based organization Young Black Motivated Kings and Queens also distributes books from Big Book Drop as part of its out-of-school time program, incorporating books into its curriculum and using them as prizes and giveaways. “Our mission is to provide a safe space in the greater Allegheny County area for youth to be creative and expressive as they navigate their role in the community and the world,” said Director of Operations Amante Britt.
For Wendy Koch, the joy in partnerships like Big Book Drop is empowering local organizations and families to create bright futures for young people.
“We love when volunteers get involved with and excited about United Way. But more important is giving local organizations books with a character or story that kids truly relate to. The delight kids and their adults get through reading is priceless.”