Give the gift of literacy this Christmas

Photo courtesy NACOG Head Start
Genesis Begay, 19 months, and Brennen Neztsosie, age 4, who attends Cogdill Head Start in Flagstaff, are pictured at the Barnes & Noble Holiday Book Drive display.

Photo courtesy NACOG Head Start Genesis Begay, 19 months, and Brennen Neztsosie, age 4, who attends Cogdill Head Start in Flagstaff, are pictured at the Barnes & Noble Holiday Book Drive display.

Reading is undoubtedly one of the most important skills in the world today. The quest to read begins the moment a child is born, and grows ever stronger through life. Children learn the alphabet, ABC’s, and enter into the race for knowledge and literacy.

Books are an essential element in learning to read, but unfortunately, not all children have access to these tools. This holiday season, in an effort to address local preschool children’s need for quality books, Flagstaff’s Barnes& Noble book store is spearheading a holiday book drive.

“Of all things to donate, this is one of the best,” said Mark Geist, Barnes & Noble manager. “Giving the gift of books promotes literacy—and you can’t go wrong.”

At each register, and throughout the store, displays are stocked with preschool texts—ready for customers to buy and donate to the Barnes & Noble fund. A variety of choices is available ranging from talking books and book/CD sets, to bilingual, Spanish and Dine texts, and those which build a child’s understanding of phonics or math.

For the third consecutive year Barnes & Noble will donate all customer contributions to Northern Arizona Council of Governments Head Start program.

“All types of books are appreciated,” said Head Start assistant director Seobaghn Arambula. “Head Start students love books. Seeing the children choose their own book and watching them get excited about their books is really incredible.

“The gift of a book encourages children to imagine and promotes their cognitive development. It also engages the parents as they read with their children.”

In 2004, Barnes & Noble customers donated 299 books to Head Start.

“This year we’re hoping to get 50-100 each week,” said Geist.

The holiday book drive began Nov. 1 and will continue through Jan. 1. Contributions are accepted every day during store hours. The books will then be distributed to Head Start and Early Head Start families through out the school year. NACOG Head Start serves approximately 1,585 children ages 0-5 and their families in Yavapai, Coconino, Navajo and Apache counties.

New books can also be donated at the NACOG Head Start central office, 121 E. Aspen Avenue, Flagstaff.

For more information about the Barnes & Noble book drive call 928-226-8227. To learn more about Head Start call 928-774-9504 or visit www.nacog.org/hs.

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