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As the end of the year approaches, we at the LBBC are launching one last book drive in support of a wonderful program that shows true compassion and determination. Starr Readers was created 5 years ago by flight attendant, Karen Furlong, who wanted to make a difference in the lives of some of the poorest children in the country. Located along the US/Mexico border, Starr County is home to many children living in colonias, where books are a luxury that take a backseat to food and clothing.
Since starting Starr Readers, Karen has personally loaded up her car and delivered thousands of books to the children and libraries of Rio Grande City. Over the years, companies like Barnes & Noble have supported Starr Readers by giving Karen a discount off of their children’s books. This year, Scholastic is showing their support as well. The LBBC applauds Karen’s commitment and selfless spirit.
Below you will find an article that appeared last month in the Dallas Morning News. And if you’d like to read more about Starr Readers, please visit their web site, http://www.starrreaders.com/ where you will find links to many other articles, interviews and letters of appreciation.
The Latin Baby Book Club has already proven to have some wonderfully generous readers, and so dear Amigos, we are asking you once again to open your hearts. Why not clear out some room on your family bookshelf in preparation for all the new and wonderful books your child will receive this holiday season? You can recycle these books and help Starr Readers at the same time. They are currently looking for donations for this year’s trip. You may donate gently used books by sending them to: Starr Readers/LBBC Book Drive, 3125 Damascus Way, Dallas, TX 75234. Karen will also accept monetary donations (no cash, please). Karen says that books that are sent to her will be donated to the elementary libraries and monetary donations will go towards a new, paperback for as many grades as the money will stretch.
The target age groups are Pre-K through 5th grade, and Karen is especially interested in books that are Pura Belpre Award winners.
Below you will also see a picture of the librarians from the Rio Grande City Consolidated Independent School District who have received donated books. Let’s continue to help them in their efforts to help children dream.
Farmers Branch book campaign helps South
Texas children write a new chapter
by Mercedes Olivera
Dallas Morning News, Oct 31st, 2009
It's a 10-hour drive, with only a couple of stops along the way for gas or to grab a bite.
But the no-frills journey to Rio Grande City in South Texas has become the highlight of the year every holiday season for Karen Furlong, a Farmers Branch resident.
This year, she will drive down the week before Christmas to deliver almost 4,000 books to some of the poorest children in the country – those living in the colonias in Starr County along the U.S.-Mexico border.
"There are lots of kids there who live in nice homes and go to private or parochial schools," said Furlong, a flight attendant for a private jet company. "But there are just so many who don't, whose families had hoped for something better for their kids."
As Furlong sees it, books can open up worlds to kids who need to know their lives can be different. Most of the families in the colonias live with no sewer service and little health care. Schools in the area are not among the best-funded in the state.
Furlong envisions the day when she can drive a bus down and hand-deliver books to the children.
"The goals are getting bigger," she said. "But the basic aim is to get children to love reading. We know now that if they're not reading by third grade, we may have lost them."
Her love of books is what motivated her to start her passionate mission five years ago, when she began raising funds and collecting new books from relatives, friends, co-workers and businesses. Along the way, she's also collected new donors and a new publisher.
With Scholastic as her partner, she'll be able to buy several thousand new books this year. Last year, she bought 600. That means 3,000 kids will each get a book, and nine elementary school libraries may end up getting 100 new hardcover books each, she said.
Among these will be a Laura Ingalls Wilder set of Little House books for each library and The Chalk Box Kid by Clyde Robert Bulla for every fourth-grader.
She also hopes to buy children's books by Pura Belpré Award winners – outstanding Latino/Latina writers and illustrators whose work celebrates Latino culture.
The public can send donations to Starr Readers at 3125 Damascus Way, Dallas, TX 75234. Or check out http://www.starrreaders.com/.
Each year brings a greater number of supporters and bigger rewards, and Furlong takes another step toward becoming a nonprofit organization.
Every dollar donated goes toward book purchases, she said. She and her family pay for the gas and the cost of renting a vehicle.
It's worth it, in her eyes.
"I love the place," she said, having spent summers and holidays there with her grandparents.
"I know it's poor, and it's dusty. But those little towns along the border – they're a part of Texas, too."
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