American Heritage Credit Union donated over 4,300 new books to hospitals, community centers, and special care facilities throughout the Philadelphia and suburban region during its 14th annual Books for Kids program.
The program collected over $11,950 in donations from members throughout the summer and fall to purchase and distribute the books. Since inception, the program has donated over 65,300 books and raised over $152,000.
In its 14th year, American Heritage invited members to support its Books for Kids program by becoming “Book Buddies” and donating $3 to purchase a new book to be donated to local hospitals and organizations in American Heritage’s field of membership. When a member purchases a book donation, a label is included with the donor’s name and affixed inside the book.
Eighteen local charities and organizations that received book donations include: Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Bucks County; Catholic Community Services; Christ’s Home; CORA Services; Family Service Association of Bucks County; Grand View Hospital; Hardy Williams Mastery Charter; KenCCID; KenCrest; Lutheran Settlement House; Pan American Academy Charter School; Partnership for Community Supports; Providence Center; Ronald McDonald House; SPIN; St. Francis - St. Vincent Homes; Wissahickon School District; YMCA.
American Heritage also made a special book donation to the “Reach Out and Read” program at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, which promotes early literacy and school readiness in pediatrics by giving books to children and educating their parents on the importance of reading.
“With growing challenges children and schools continue to face year after year, our book donations are needed now more than ever,” stated Bruce K. Foulke, president and CEO of American Heritage. “Children deserve educational enrichment and as many opportunities to advance literacy as possible. I am so appreciative of American Heritage’s Board of Directors, our associates, and our valued members who have contributed to this annual program and are helping to advance this cause.”
American Heritage’s Books for Kids Program promotes children’s literacy and makes book donations each year to local-area hospitals and other organizations.
Caption: American Heritage associates presented Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia’s Reach Out and Read Program with a special donation of 2,650 books to promote early literacy and school readiness in pediatrics. (From Left to Right: Brand Commo, American Heritage Credit Union; Gina Pelbano, American Heritage Credit Union; Kirsten Rogers,Coordinator, Reach Out and Read at CHOP; William Quinn, American Heritage Credit Union.)
The Books for Kids Program committee labels each book with the donors’ names inside the book’s front cover prior to distribution.
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