Did you know that 61% of children living in poverty have no books at home*? To address this pressing issue and promote childhood literacy, Renewal by Andersen of Central Virginia has teamed up with CBS 6 to support the Scripps Howard Fund’s “If You Give a Child a Book” initiative.
In addition to backing CBS 6’s donation drive, Renewal by Andersen is contributing $3,000 to this worthy cause. This generous donation will fund 500 books for local children. Throughout September 2024, CBS 6 in Richmond is collecting donations to help Kindergarten through third-grade students at area Title 1 schools select books of their choice at upcoming book fairs.
Lucy O’Shields, Vice President of Marketing at Renewal by Andersen of Central Virginia, recently presented a check for the $3,000 donation at J.B. Fisher Elementary School. “We are truly grateful to be difference makers in our community,” O’Shields remarked.
“Renewal by Andersen of Central Virginia’s Vice President of Marketing, Lucy O’Shields, and CBS 6’s GeNienne Samuels and Bill Fitzgerald pose with students from J. B. Fisher Elementary School.”
Inclusivity In Literature
The team at J.B. Fisher Elementary understands the significance of providing students with the opportunity to take home books they select themselves, at no cost to their families. Molly Boehm, the school librarian, highlighted the impact of this initiative: “It’s wonderful to see the excitement on the kids’ faces when they get to choose books they love. It can be challenging to make reading exciting, and this program helps by allowing them to pick books that interest them.”
Nathan Fishell, a CBS 6 Account Executive, emphasized the program’s value, noting that it “lets kids pick books with heroes who look and feel like them.”
Fishell also pointed out the intrinsic link between literacy and media: “Literacy is fundamental to our work in journalism. Many of us start in media by learning to read and tell stories.”
Renewal by Andersen of Central Virginia’s Commitment to Giving Back
Renewal by Andersen of Central Virginia has long recognized the importance of community support. Since its establishment as Richmond Window Corporation in 1954, the company’s success has been closely tied to the support from the greater Richmond area. Initiatives like “If You Give a Child a Book” allow the company to give back and express its gratitude to the community that has been integral to its growth.
*Source: National Center for Educational Statistics
