work for impact

BookFest

Providing kids with the books they need to succeed

Third grade is a crucial time for students: when they transition from “learning to read” to “reading to learn.” Yet in Lane County, 60% of third graders are not reading proficiently, meaning they’re four times less likely to graduate from high school on time. In response, United Way, the Early Childhood Hub of Lane County, and Connected Lane County have teamed up to host BookFest: a community-wide program helping K-2 students build their home libraries, maintain reading gains over the summer, and ultimately, help them improve their reading scores.

How It Works

Each year, we partner with schools throughout Lane County where students have the most opportunity to increase their reading scores. In February and March, we raise funds to purchase new, popular, diverse books kids love. Then in May and June, with help from volunteers like you, we’ll host book distribution days so K-2 students at each school can fill book bags with their favorite books to build their home libraries and keep them reading over the summer. Increasing students’ access to age-appropriate books is one of the key components to improving reading scores.

Get Involved

Host a Book Drive: engage your colleagues, community, and friends by collecting new and gently used books, which will distributed in partnership with SMART Reading. Drives can run now through mid-June, and should be delivered to SMART Reading by mid-June. If you have questions, contact Sona Hodaie, Donor Relations Coordinator, at shodaie@unitedwaylane.org.
- Download the Book Drive Toolkit
- Sign up here to host a Book Drive (required)
Donate to BookFest: your donation will help purchase new books for kids to choose from this spring! Make a gift online here or donate by check with BookFest in the memo line, and mail to United Way, 3171 Gateway Loop, Springfield, OR 97477.
Volunteer with BookFest: check back in May to volunteer at one of our book distribution days this spring!