The Rotary Clubs of Jamaica are holding a book drive from May 1-7, 2010 to collect new and gently used books to donate to libraries in Jamaica and Haiti. The goal is to inspire literacy by providing reading materials. Books will be given to the Jamaica Library Service and organizations in Haiti to be determined. Literacy is important for sustainable development but many children in Jamaica and Haiti lack access to books. The drive needs donations of books, funds, and assistance with transportation and storage to provide books for all ages and needs.

1. The Rotary Clubs of Jamaica WHAT
in association with
Rotary Race To Literacy Book Drive Project has been
inspired by the 2008 Rotary International Convention in
Los Angeles, California where Rotarians set the record in
the Guinness Book of World Records for the “Most Books
Donated to Charity in Seven Days” with 242,624 books.
On the occasion of the 36th Annual Rotary District 7020
Conference in Kingston, Jamaica, we seek to have new
and near-new books — of any kind — donated between
May 1-7, 2010. This is a national and international cam-
paign. Collected books will be donated to the people of
Jamaica and Haiti. In Jamaica, the primary recipient will
HOW TO H.E.L.P. be the Jamaica Library Service with its island-wide net-
work of branch, school and mobile libraries. In Haiti, the
H is for “Home”. Please donate at least one (1) book primary recipient will be determined by Rotary at the
from home. You must have even one! appropriate time.
E is for “Explain, Enlighten and Encourage”. Please be WHY
an ambassador for the book drive. Tell your family,
Literacy is the cornerstone of sustainable development.
friends, neighbors, and colleagues here and abroad
The vast majority of Jamaican children do not enter
about the book drive and why it is important. Spread
Grade 1 as emergent readers. A significant cause of the
the word in person, at work, social events, by phone,
problem is the severe deficiency in appropriate reading
mail, email, instant messenger, Facebook, Twitter etc.
material for the early childhood age group, and for chil-
Join the Facebook Fan Page, follow us on the blog and
dren with special needs. We encourage you to buy these
on Twitter. Share the links!
special books from our publisher and bookstore partners.
L is for “Lend a Hand”. This project needs enabling Haiti was already struggling to meet literacy targets be-
partners. If you can, please be a drop off point, offer fore the devastation from the earthquake. In the absence
storage, shipping, customs broker age, transport, media of major intervention, the situation will only deteriorate.
etc. Corporations and Non-Governmental Organizations As the country in Rotary District 7020 most in need, Haiti
can be key enabling partners on a large scale. will also be a beneficiary of appropriate English, French
and Haitian Creole books that you may purchase from our
P is for “Pocket”. Please make a financial contribution
publisher and bookstore partners.
to the Rotary Race to Literacy Project to purchase spe-
cial books for children as your donation. The general
H. E. L. P
public, Diaspora, Corporations, Foundations and Inter-
national Development Partners can all make a signifi- NOW : Gather Books
cant difference to early childhood education, environ-
mental education, bilingual materials, Braille, and spe- Feb 10 – Apr 30:
cial needs for learning disabilities etc. Drop Off to Project Partners
 Cheques : “Rotary Race To Literacy Project”
May 1-7 : Donate to Rotary
 J$ Deposit: Bank of Nova Scotia A/C # 822269
May 8 : Presentation
 US$ Deposit: Bank of Nova Scotia A/C # 822271
Email: rotaryracetoliteracy@live.com I Blog: http://www.rotaryracetoliteracy.org I Twitter: racetoliteracy
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