Domtar joined forces with First Book and Classroom Central for the third annual Truck of Books event. The two-day literacy promotion offered 40,000 free books for teachers to share with students in Charlotte, North Carolina, including nearby York County, South Carolina.
Many local businesses volunteered time at Classroom Central to sort and stack the books donated by Domtar. Teachers from Charlotte-Mecklenburg and York counties were invited to shop for free books to give to their students. Each teacher who attended the event was allowed to take 150 books for their classroom.
Free Books for Teachers
Loretta Reed, principal at Woodhill Elementary School, went shopping on behalf of her teachers. She drove to Classroom Central from Gaston County, North Carolina, so her school wouldn’t miss out on free books for teachers.
“I’m so grateful to Classroom Central, Domtar and First Book for making this opportunity possible,” says Reed. “I work for a Title I school, and these books will help enrich the lives of my students who do not have any books at home.”
Loretta Reed, principal at Woodhill Elementary School in Gastonia County.
Rachel Hui-Hubbard, program coordinator for the Early Learning Partnership of York County, also attended the event. She brought a little red wagon to Classroom Central to gather books on behalf of York County’s Reach Out and Read program, which distributes books to families in need.
“The Early Learning Partnership of York County has partnered with Domtar on many outreach programs over the years,” says Hui-Hubbard. “We appreciate all the efforts Domtar and others make for the children of York County.”
Rachel Hui-Hubbard, program coordinator at The Early Learning Partnership of York County.
Domtar’s Powerful Pages Program
According to USA Today, 94 percent of public school teachers spend their own money on school supplies and are not reimbursed. They spent on average $479 annually. Teachers who work in Title I schools, where there are fewer resources and a high percentages of children from low-income families, could spend even more.
We are committed to improving literacy and supporting educational initiatives that put books and other school supplies into the hands of kids who need them. Through our Powerful Pages program, we help alleviate some of the financial stress for local teachers, students and families by offering free books for teachers and free school supplies for students.
Learn more about our commitment to literacy and education in our communities:
• Domtar’s EarthChoice Ambassadors: Making the Domtar Difference
• Domtar Learning Lounge Opens in Johnsonburg, Pennsylvania
• Educational and Environmental Programs Define EarthChoice Ambassadors
