United Way of St. Charles kicks off annual toy and food drive for holidays

United Way of St. Charles is hosting a Toy & Food Drive that kicked off on Nov. 8. Toys and food will be collected until Dec. 10 and then given to local families in need.

Help those in your community have a happy holiday season by supporting the UWSC Toy & Food Drive.  Please bring non-perishable food items or toys to the United Way office, 13207 River Road in Luling, by December 10.

“It’s open to anything -  whatever people feel they can contribute is appreciated,” said Trista Brazan with the United Way.

Brazan said that toys donated should be new and in unopened containers and appropriate for any age, birth to early teens. All food items will be given to Second Harvest Food Bank.

For more information, call Kacy at 985-331-9063.

 

“Read and Rise” partnership

United Way of St. Charles has also partnered with Clear Channel Radio to provide the "Read and Rise" program to various schools across St. Charles Parish.

"Read and Rise" is a Scholastic national literacy initiative designed to bring families, schools, and communities together to support children's literacy development.

As part of the "Read and Rise" program, United Way of St. Charles approved an $11,000 grant to fund two Title One schools, which provided vouchers for children at both schools to receive one free book at the Scholastic Book Fair.  United Way of St. Charles sponsored St. Rose Elementary and Luling Elementary.

"Countless studies prove that when children have the opportunity to choose books they want to read for fun, it leads them to a lifelong love of reading and learning. Encouraging children to read for fun is the single most important thing we can do to help them succeed in school. United Way of St. Charles is happy to expand our literacy program to school-aged children throughout St. Charles Parish," stated John Dias, UWSC Executive Director.

For more information about United Way of St. Charles and its programs, call 985-331-9063 or visit www.uwaysc.org.