Tackling childhood illiteracy one book at a time. That's the mission for the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Mississippi Valley. This week, the organization launched its first ever Great Futures Literacy Challenge book drive.
CEO Tim Tolliver says its part of a national campaign to encourage young people to read more, especially those ages 6 to 14.
"You know, the schools can't do everything, and so that's where we try to fill the void with this issue in our after school programs. And not just with our after school programs; with our summer programs, as well."
Tolliver says he's already received hundreds of books. He encourages more residents to drop off books with age-appropriate themes to any of the four Boys and Girls Club locations in the Quad Cities.
The campaign will last until Thanksgiving.
(Photo: CEO Tim Tolliver sits with children at the launching of the literacy campaign on Thursday.)