EDMOND, Okla. - (Business Wire) Kumon Math and Reading Center students of Edmond, Oklahoma donate 2,000 books to Citizens Caring for Children at 10 a.m. Monday, November 9th, at 45 N.E. 50th Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73105 (Resource Center). This is the largest donation in Kumon North America’s book drive history and benefits the local United Way Agency that supports children entering the foster care system. “Our book drive educated students about the importance of helping children in our community,” says, RussAnn Anderson, director, Kumon Math and Reading Center of Edmond. “At Kumon, we believe all children have unlimited potential, and by giving a gift of a book, we hope to bring joy to a child in transition.”
In honor of National Book Month, Edmond Kumon students and staff started a month-long book drive in October. Students and staff divided into teams to see who could donate the most books. The Kumon staff even started a city-wide scavenger hunt to buy books from multiple book stores.
The need for books is great. In middle income neighborhoods the ratio of books per child is 13 to 1 while in low-income neighborhoods, the ratio is 1 age-appropriate book for every 300 children.
Many of the books donated were from Kumon’s Recommended Reading List, a 280-title book list that acts as a ‘go-to’ guide for parents and is designed specifically to cultivate a love of reading and profound understanding of the English language in children. At least a third of the books on the Recommended Reading List have won literary awards such as the Newbery, Pulitzer Prize, Caldecott and the National Book Awards, presented by the National Book Foundation.
Amy Mitchell, executive director for Citizens Caring for Children says she was impressed by student’s commitment to helping others during this holiday season.
“Instilling the importance of literacy in children is one of our missions,” says Mitchell. “These books benefit the children we serve. We thank Kumon for their generosity.”
About Kumon Math and Reading Centers
Kumon [koo-mŏn] is an after-school math and reading program that helps children fulfill their potential by motivating them to achieve more on their own. The learning method uses a systematic and individualized approach that helps children develop a solid command of math and reading skills. Through daily practice and mastery of materials, students increase confidence, improve concentration and develop better study skills. Kumon has 26,000 Centers in 46 countries and more than four million students studying worldwide. For more information, please visit www.kumon.com.
About Citizens Caring for Children
Citizens Caring for Children was founded in 1984 and is currently a United Way agency providing resources to more than 3,600 foster children each year. Through the programs, self-worth, self-esteem and character development are promoted to give hope, change lives and create healthy futures. Citizens Caring for Children provides resources through programs including Santa Stop, Klothes for Kids: Back-to-School drive, the Mentoring Program, Shelter Birthday Parties, and offers foster parents and children the opportunity to shop for clothing, free of charge, at the Resource Center. The organization continues to be at the forefront in the battle against child abuse and neglect and strives to break the cycle by addressing the material, emotional, intellectual and spiritual needs of the foster children they serve. To volunteer, or to make a donation, please contact 405-348-9034, email amitchell@citizenscaringforchildren.org or visit www.citizenscaringforchildren.org.
Kumon
Johanna Beeler, 678-644-3112
jbeeler@kumon.com
