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Westminster Distributes Free Books to Teachers
NEW WILMINGTON, Pa. -- Westminster College, First Book-Westminster and community volunteers distributed 40,000 free new books to public school educators Wednesday. The distribution results from the college winning a national competition to register 300 schools and programs that serve children in need -- the only First Book college organization to receive the award.
Last fall, nearly 40 students affiliated with First Book-Westminster registered 382 teachers and community organizations for the national First Book organization, a nonprofit that has distributed more than 115 million books to children over the last 21 years. The reward: a truckload of 40,000 new children's books to distribute locally.
"This is a phenomenal opportunity for Westminster to promote the hard work of the students, the cooperation of a large number of Westminster faculty and staff, and Westminster's cooperative effort within the larger community groups serving Lawrence and Mercer counties," said Eileen Morelli, organizer and First Book-Westminster adviser.
"The importance of this award is significant as we are the only First Book college organization to receive this award," Morelli said, adding that only eight other truckloads were awarded in the United States.
The new books -- for newborns to 18-year-olds -- from Hyperion Press and Disney Publishing arrived on the Westminster campus Monday. More than 380 teachers are registered to receive 100 books each.
School districts comprise Ellwood City, Laurel, Mohawk, Neshannock, New Castle, Shenango, Union and Wilmington in Lawrence County, and Farrell, George Junior Republic, Hermitage, Lakeview, Mercer, Sharon, and Sharpsville in Mercer County, as well as teachers from West Mifflin and Campbell, Ohio school districts.
Several community groups serving children of low-income families also received free books.
Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
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