Books for Collier Kids

Literacy is one of the best predictors of a child’s future success. A lack of basic literacy skills is linked with academic failure, delinquency, teenage pregnancy, substance abuse, unemployment, low productivity and welfare dependency. In some of our nation’s lowest income areas, there is one book for every 300 kids. Children whose parents are unable to read often struggle with reading, too, perpetuating a cycle of poverty. Without access to books, low-income children return to fall classes with reading scores 30% lower than those with steady access to books (called Summer Slide). By the end of fifth grade, at-risk kids are nearly three grades behind in reading skills.

63% of Collier County School District’s 18,000+ elementary students are economically needy; the District has designated 68.42% of the students as “economically disadvantaged” across all schools. 23 of Collier County’s 34 elementary schools are Title I with at least 75% of students enrolled in free or reduced-cost lunch programs due to low family incomes. 90+% of children in Collier County’s Title I elementary schools are economically disadvantaged and benefit from Books for Collier Kids free book program.

Books for Collier Kids is an all-volunteer organization with no office or staff; $.91 of every dollar spent on BOOKS. In 2005, First Book-Collier County was launched to provide new books to children in need, addressing a crucial factor affecting literacy — access to books. The name was changed to Books for Collier Kids in 2015, reflecting a focus on disadvantaged children in pre-K, kindergarten, first and second grades in Collier County. In 2017, Palmetto and Poinciana Elementary schools were added to the program. In 2018, Naples Park, Sabal Palm and Calusa Park were added to the program. In 2019, a new program providing over three titles annually to three-year-olds at Grace Place, Guadalupe Center, Fun Time Early Childhood Academy via Collier County Public Schools’ Pre-K registration sites. In 2021, support was expanded to pre-K through second grade with three additional schools on the ‘cusp’ of Title I (75% economically needy) (Lake Park, Big Cypress and Corkscrew Elementary schools). In 2022-2023, Osceola, Collier Charter and Gulf Coast Charter elementary schools were added.

In 2023, Books for Kids received a coveted four-star rating by Charity Navigator.

In 2023-2024, Tommie Barfield, Pelican Marsh and Vineyard’s elementary schools were added for a total of 32 schools served.

140,000+ new books are distributed to 10,700+ Collier kids annually; 1.8 million books since 2005.

“What you and the other volunteers do for our students is amazing. Our students get to build their own home libraries, thanks to you. We hope you know how much we appreciate it.”

~ Darlene Spano, Director of Education Fun Time Early Childhood Academy

Books for Collier Kids’ Success

Measurable improvements in Collier County School District children’s reading scores since material distribution began in 2005. Books for Kids receives praise and appreciation from Collier County School Board, teachers, parents and students and was named “Outstanding Nonprofit” of 2012 by the Collier Community Foundation. More than 10,700 children a month engaging their imaginations to learn, play and grow as they enjoy their monthly new book selection.

“Thank you for the books. I read the book. I sound out the words that I do not know.

You are the best. I love you. I love you ‘cause you gave us the books.”

~ Maria, pre-K student, Manatee Elementary School

Support for Books for Collier Kids:

Community support allows BCK to continue providing life-transforming educational adventures and experiences to our neediest children:

• $50 buys 1 book for every child in a Head Start Pre-K or Title I classroom
• $100 buys 1 book for every child in 2 classrooms
• $250 buys 1 book for every child in 5 classrooms
• $500 supports an entire classroom (250+ new books) for a full year, providing each child with a book a month to take home, cherish and share

For more information on Books for Collier Kids, please visit www.BooksForCollierKids.org, or call Chair Sallie Williams at 239-394-4062.