Nearly 200 books donated in United Way’s Day of Action

The community donated nearly 200 books Saturday for Valley kids.

The United Way hosted a community day of action all across the country Saturday. In the Valley, the action is all about reading.

From 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday people were encouraged to donate books at the Palm Desert Barnes and Noble.

Over 60 percent of low income families in the Desert have no books at home, making it even harder for kids to learn to read.

United Way says today’s donations not only will help a child learn to read, but ultimately better their future.

“Kids that can read by grade three are four times more likely to graduate from high school and 77 percent more likely to not live in poverty once they graduate high school,” said United Way of the Desert executive director Kristal Granados.

Granados says in this age of technology having an actual book to hold really makes a difference.

“That feel of holding a book in your hand really creates the love of reading. It creates the love of being able to turn that page and find out what is happening next in the story. It’s really important to have those physical books in your hand to create that love of reading,” said Granados

The books will go to kids enrolled in summer reading programs with the Boys and Girls Club of Cathedral City and Family YMCA of the Desert.

Saturday’s event is over, but you can still donate books all year long at the United Way of the Desert.