United Way to Distribute Children?s Books at Memorial Day Parade

May 21st, 2012

Fulton, NY ? Over the past 5 years United Way of Greater Oswego County has given away hundreds of children?s books at the Fulton Memorial Day Parade. Thanks to the support of Oswego Cub Scout Pack 888 the agency will be able to continue the tradition. Over the past several months, members of Oswego Cub Scout Pack 888 have been busy collecting children?s books for United Way of Greater Oswego County. Their efforts paid off as they recently presented United Way with approximately 1,500 books. That United Way will distribute to children during Fulton?s Annual Memorial Day Parade.

?We have been fortunate that Cub Scout Pack 888 as well as Dr. Laura Brown?s students at SUNY Oswego that collected books as part of the service learning component of her courses, and Granby Walmart, have been very good to us by hosting book drives and collecting children?s books for us,? said Melanie Trexler, executive director of United Way of Greater Oswego County. ?Additionally, Chirello Advertising and Cornell Cooperative Extension have supplied us with bookmarks and Burritt Chevrolet will be providing transportation for us during the parade.?

Trexler added that United Way is proud to once again be part of the Fulton Memorial Day Parade and helping to raise awareness of the Literacy Coalition of Oswego County.

?It?s heartwarming to see the looks on the children?s faces when they receive the books. It is a great opportunity for us to promote literacy as we provide parents with books they can read to their children and children with books they can read themselves. Strong literacy skills such as reading, writing, and the ability to communicate effectively are the building blocks for success. By promoting early childhood development we are helping children develop essential literacy skills,? added Trexler.

A coalition of more than 36 local organizations, the Literacy Coalition of Oswego County is dedicated to supporting and expanding literacy services in Oswego County by working together to address the literacy needs of people of all ages.

?Our presence in the Memorial Day Parade is just one example of how United Way supports the Literacy Coalition of Oswego County and is working collaboratively with Chairperson, Jon Spaulding, publisher of the Palladium-Time and Jennifer Cook, chief of staff for Assemblyman Will Barclay to raise awareness of the Literacy Coalition and the work that they do to improve literacy in Oswego County.

Community members wishing to donate books may do so by dropping them off at the United Way office, 1 South First Street in Fulton. Arrangements for pick-up can be made for donations of large quantities of books. For more information on the United Way book drive contact your United Way office at 315-593-1900.

Cut line for photo: Local Cub Scout Pack Collects Books. Cub Scouts of Oswego Cub Scout Pack 888 present Melanie Trexler, executive director of the United Way of Greater Oswego County (seated front left) with approximately 1,500 children books that they have collected over the past several months. The books will be distributed to children during the Memorial Day Parade in Fulton on Saturday, May 26th. In existence since 1990, Cub Scout Pack 888 meets at Charles E. Riley Elementary School on Tuesday nights. The Pack does many community service projects throughout the year such as ringing of the bell for the Salvation Army and collecting can goods for Human Concerns. For more information on the book distribution, or to donate new and gently used children?s books, contact your United Way office at 315-593-1900.