Wests Illawarra have come onboard again this year, making another significant contribution to the Kids Book Drive.

Wests Illawarra have been a consistent and generous supporter of the Book Drive, and this year have generously donated $1000 worth of books.

Wests Illawarra also kindly acted as an alternative book donation collection point for this year’s book drive.

Good 360 provided one of the first donations to this year’s book drive, donating over $1000 worth of books, whilst Lifeline South Coast collected eight boxes of new and used books, in addition to the stacks that had already been donated by the community.

Carol, Rod and Anne, residents of Warrigal Links Seaside, have also been great supporters of the book drive for many years, and have lovingly helped to organise, collect and donate hundreds of books for local kids, this year being no exception.

This year Lifeline South Coast also contributed multiple boxes of books.

Now in its seventh year, the annual book drive collects and donates books to students in Kindergarten, Year 1 and Year 2, to encourage reading and help support children maintain their literacy skills over the summer holidays.

Member for Wollongong, Paul Scully MP said:

“A big thank you to everybody who generously donated to my 2024 Kids Book Drive.

“The response to the book drive has been incredibly strong again this year and I never cease to be amazed by the generosity of our community.

“Hundreds of books were generously donated by local residents and business. These books will be given to local school children in Kindergarten, Year 1 and Year 2, across seven schools in the Wollongong electorate.

“It’s great to have the ongoing support of Wests Illawarra and I thank them for their wonderful contribution to my book drive.

“A big thank you to Good 360, Lifeline South Coast as well as Carol and Rod McKellar at Warrigal Links Seaside, for their wonderful donations and continued support.

“Reading books and sharing stories can help a child’s development in so many ways.

“Sadly, many local kids do not have access to books at home. This book drive helps to address that gap and hopefully changes lives in the process too.

Mr Danny Munk, Chief Executive Officer, Wests Illawarra, said:

“We know that this donation will go a long way to helping lots of local kids to develop their love of reading and their imaginations during the summer holidays.

"Wests Illawarra staff and members were pleased to again be part of the Book Drive this year."