NYS Begins Book Drive for Children’s Homes

The National Youth Service (NYS) has partnered with several entities to begin a book drive, which involves the collection and donation of books to libraries and reading rooms in children’s homes.

Persons are being encouraged to participate in the project by donating new and gently used books suitable for children between 3 and 18 years of age.

The books should be dropped off at Sovereign Supermarket, 1 Barbican Road, Kingston 6; Azan Supercentre, Regal Plaza, Kingston 5; Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica, 37 Hope Road, Kingston 10, and Spartan Health Club, 9 Lady Musgrave Road, Kingston 5. Books can also be delivered to the NYS parish offices and head office, 6 Collins Green Avenue, Kingston 5.

Deadline for the donation of books is August 27. Persons can also contact the NYS Summer Programme Secretariat at 754-9816-8 for more details.

Executive Director of the NYS, Melvin Smith, told JIS News that the initiative, which is part of the NYS Summer Programme, aims to promote reading.  “It is something we are proud about, because reading and accessing information is very important,” he said.

He added that the book drive will also encourage volunteerism, one of the primary areas of focus under the NYS programme, whereby participants understand and appreciate the concept of volunteerism in the development of Jamaica.

“Our youth, as part of the Summer Programme, will help to collate and package the books for delivery to the homes and help with the outfitting and the organizing of the libraries and reading rooms,” Mr. Smith noted.

He informed that the project is being managed by the NYS Summer Programme Secretariat, which will coordinate the collection of books from entities and NYS offices.

The Executive Director said the deadline date for donating books might be extended, depending on the interest shown by citizens.

“Instead of ending in summer, it might continue through the year. The more the merrier and we will be happy if we get more books,” he added.