Women of Mission Health Help Bring Gift of Reading to Local Students

Submitted by Elisabeth on Mon, 12/19/2016 - 3:58pm

"When we asked Dr. Jill Hoggard-Green if she would be willing to make a contribution that would enable a two to one match on book donations to our annual Holiday Book Drive for middle school youth, she didn't hesitate to say yes. This kind and generous spirit is evident throughout the Mission Health system and I feel fortunate that I get to connect these amazing people to such rich opportunities." Elizabeth Allen, United Way

 

Mission Health team members gather for a photo after a wrapping blitz at HiWire's Big Top last week.

 

This year, Dr. Jill Hoggard-Green made a contribution that kicked our annual book drive into high gear. Her generous gift, coupled with that of local author, Robert Beatty, and fueled by the tireless efforts of the book sellers at Barnes & Noble (Asheville Mall) helped to raise more than 2,600 books for area students this holiday season.

What's a present, without gift wrapping?

Well we don't know the answer to that question because members of the Women's Leadership Council (WLC) wrapped at least 2,000 of those books so that we can deliver them to local schools and nonprofit programs that serve youth, like Big Brothers Big Sisters, Girls On The Run, Children First, the YMCA and more.

Do Kids Really Want Books?

Despite the allure that electronic gizmos and flying objects provide, it turns out that students love books too! In fact every year, teachers, counselors and local youth service providers say the same thing - their kids clamor to get a book of their own; a special book that is theirs alone and that can take them away to a world filled with possibilities. Last year we distributed 1,700 books and we are well on our way to making even more children happy this year.

 

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