United Way Adds Amazon to Option to Holiday Book Drive

White Plains, N.Y, (December 7, 2017) – 60% of low-income children in our community don’t have a book in the house to read.

That’s why United Way of Westchester and Putnam runs an annual holiday book drive for children – its current holiday campaign is on! And running through December 20th. And to make it easier to donate, this year they are offering the option of on-line book purchases through Amazon.

Donations of new or gently used children’s books are needed as part of United Way’s initiative to promote reading among underprivileged children. Only 38 percent of children in Westchester and Putnam are reading on grade level by the end of 3rd grade. Studies show this has a dramatic lifelong impact on a child’s future success.

“We are asking people to share their love of reading by donating a book to this important program,” said Mary Ann Luna, VP for Community Alliances, United Way of Westchester and Putnam. “A child’s ability to read is critical to a viable future. By promoting early reading, the United2Read program fights long-term systemic poverty through literacy.’’

These are the kind of donations that would be ideal:

There are several ways to donate books this year.

New this year, people wishing to donate can do so through Amazon by visiting http://www.uwwp.org/bookdrive. This mechanism allows donors a super quick and convenient way to give from their desktop, laptop computer or phone. You can also designate that a portion of your purchase be directed to United Way, through the Amazon Smile program.

Participants can send book orders direct to United Way or drop them off in person at:

• United Way Office in Westchester (336 Central Park Avenue, White Plains, NY 10606/GPS Address: 324 N. Central Avenue, Hartsdale)
• United Way Office in Putnam (United Way office at the Tompkins Mahopac Bank Community Center, 953 S Lake Blvd, Mahopac, NY 10541 at the junction of 6 and 6N).

Donations can be dropped off between 9-5pm or Call 914-997-6700 x738 to make an appointment.

Donations can also be dropped off at many libraries throughout Westchester County at locations below:

Mamaroneck Public Library

136 Prospect Ave.

Mamaroneck, NY 1054

(914) 630-5890

Bedford Hills Free Library

26 Main St.

Bedford Hills, NY 10507

(914) 666-6432

Shrub Oak/ John C. Hart Memorial Library

1130 E. Main St.

Shrub Oak, NY 10588

(914) 241-5262

Pound Ridge Library

271 Westchester Ave.

Pound Ridge, NY 10576

(914) 764-5085

Purchase Free Library

3093 Purchase St.

Purchase, NY 10577

(914) 948-0550

Monetary donations are always welcomed at uwwp.org.

About United Way of Westchester and Putnam

United Way of Westchester and Putnam (UWWP) works with government, business, non-profits and community leaders to solve complex problems. We focus on children, parents and families living on the financial edge. Our aim is to put them on a path toward self-sufficiency, so they might thrive and contribute to a stronger community. Our 2-1-1 helpline takes nearly 80,000 calls a year, providing online resources to resolve basic needs like heating, food, shelter, mortgage questions, childcare, natural disaster and crisis calls. We provide job skills training and financial education to adults. And we help more and more children and their parents to make sure children are reading on grade level by 3rd grade, a critical marker of academic success and future viability in our society. .

UWWP is located at 336 Central Park Ave., White Plains, NY 10606. Phone: 914-997-6700 Website: www.uwwp.org. Facebook: (www.facebook.com/UnitedWayWP) and Twitter (@UnitedWayWP)