Chief Executive Officer of the Aster Group (Wests Illawarra) Danny Munk said that Wests Illawarra is supporting the book drive this year to help encourage young kids to keep reading over summer after a difficult year.

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

The Children’s Book Council of Australia Illawarra sub-branch is supporting the book drive for a second year running in recognition that it is a great program to help encourage reading and literacy for children.

President of the Children’s Book Council of Australia sub-branch Kate O’Mealley said that the Council was supporting the book drive again this year with donations from publishers and the support of local members and authors as well.

“We are asking everyone to pitch in to help encourage a love of reading and improve literacy levels for local children, which is a life-long skill,” Ms O’Mealley said.

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

“It’s been a tough few months for young children in their first few years of school, trying to deal with a long lockdown and remote learning, that’s why it’s incredible to have the support of both Wests Illawarra and the local sub-branch of the Children’s Book Council this year.

“The response to the book drive so far this year has been fantastic, and the generosity of our community never ceases to amaze me.

“Given the difficulties of this year, I’m hoping to make the book drive even bigger and better and I need your help to do that”, Mr Scully said.

New books or book vouchers can be donated by 10 December 2021 to Mr Scully’s office at Shop 2, 51 Crown Street, Wollongong, or his office can be contacted to make other arrangements.