Powell's Books Kicks Off Schoolbook Challenge November 6, 2006, Portland, OR —Powell's Books continues its commitment to getting books into the hands of school children by launching Schoolbook Challenge once again. For seven weeks, beginning November 14, 2006, through January 1, 2007, Powell's Books is challenging the community to help donate more than 50,000 books to Portland and Beaverton Public Schools. The purpose of Powell's Schoolbook Challenge is to get much needed reading materials into the hands of school-age children in the Portland area and to heighten the public's awareness of the needs of public schools. Powell's is asking its customers to make contributions in the form of "book pledges," each valued at $5.95 and good toward one new schoolbook. Book pledges can be purchased at all Powell's Books six Portland-area locations and online at Powells.com. For each book pledge purchased, Powell's will, in turn, match the pledge with 10 additional books, up to a maximum of 50,000 books. Donated books will feature a wide variety of reading material, including picture books and novels; history, math, and social science; dictionaries, reference, and language learning tools. Last year, Powell's redesigned the Schoolbook Challenge program, formerly known as It's for Kids, with the goal of donating as many books in one year as it had over the previous nine years of It's for Kids. The overwhelming community response helped the company reach its goal. On August 31, 2005, Powell's distributed 57,500 books to 275 Portland Public School teachers and librarians with the help of 90 volunteers from Schoolhouse Supplies at its Powells.com warehouse in Northwest Portland. Schoolbook Challenge is made possible by the generous support of Schoolhouse Supplies and sponsors, 94/7 FM, Willamette Week, and Hot Lips Pizza. About Powell's Books and Powells.com |
