Tuesday, February 23, 2016

MEDIA ADVISORY -- Love of Learning Campaign to Deliver 35,000+ Free Books for San Diego

Reporters and Editors: The event below is taking place near one of our schools and is involving our community. Your coverage is welcomed. If you have any questions, please use the contacts below.

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The Molina Foundation
Feb. 21, 2016

Dawn Bayer, 562-577-8020, dawn.bayer@molinafoundation.org

Charlie Goldberg, 619-961-5468, cgoldberg@supportmylibrary.org

MEDIA EVENT ADVISORY – AVISO DE PRENSA DE EVENTO

Love of Learning Campaign to Deliver 35,000+ Free Books for San Diego

Special Distribution Event Feb. 24 in Serra Mesa for 35 Nonprofits, Agencies & Schools

WHAT:

The "one-stop" free distribution of more than 35,000 new Disney-themed children's activity books in Spanish to designated nonprofit groups, community agencies and schools across the county that serve low-income, immigrant populations. The effort is part of For the Love of Learning (Por El Amor al Aprendizaje), a regional campaign by The Molina Foundation during February to show children the value of books and promote household literacy.

The distribution ― to take place in and around the old Serra Mesa library building ― will feature a total of 35 organizations stopping by to get their donation of colorful publications, which include titles such as "Tron," "The Incredibles" and "Toy Story."

Among the organizations sending trucks, vans and cars for the pick-up: Cesar Chavez Service Clubs, Jewish Family Service of San Diego, Kiwanis Club of Sweetwater, National City Public Library, North County Community Services, San Diego Unified, SD Council on Literacy and San Ysidro Health Center.

WHEN & WHERE:

Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2016 ― 1:00 to 2:30 p.m.

Vehicle Line-Up / Book Distribution / Sample Book Displays / Interview Opportunities with Recipients

(Old) Serra Mesa Branch Library

3440 Sandrock Road (at Hurlbut Street), San Diego 92123

WHY:

There is a growing nationwide "word gap" problem impacting how kids achieve and how families progress. The gap is the dramatic difference in vocabulary levels between economically disadvantaged children and their more affluent peers. By age 4, middle- and upper-income children can hear up to 30 million more words than poorer children. Research also shows that in some low-income neighborhoods there is only one book available on average for every 300 children.

The Molina Foundation, based in Long Beach, CA, is aware that in areas of San Diego County access by households to books and other educational resources is generally scarce. The local visit, which will include "Book Buddies" reading activities at two public schools on Feb. 25, is one of several distribution events the Foundation is sponsoring over the next few weeks for high-need communities around Southern California.

WHO:

For the Love of Learning is presented by The Molina Foundation in close partnership with the San Diego Public Library Foundation. In addition, local employees from Molina Healthcare are scheduled to provide support as part of the company's Volunteer Time Off program, which encourages employees to give back to the community by providing paid time off to do volunteer work with local charity organizations.

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