From July 1, 2023 through December 31, 2023, a 6,872 NEW books were distributed. Of these, approximately 5,000 were given away during our Books Across Stamford: Summer Series, which visited 15 locations and served roughly 2,500 students.
As the summer dissolved into fall, SPEF contributed 500 books to the Ferguson Library’s Community Family Giveback Day at their South End Branch. Through our CPEP program, 150 books were given away to children learning about the importance of creating a bright future for themselves and their community. Not to leave out families attending our SPEF 5K Walk & Run on October 1, and additional 223 books were distributed to children participating in the event.
At SPEF’s Books Across Stamford: Giving Thanks event on November 18, in collaboration with the Ferguson Library, over 400 books were selected by children. There were special guest readers, including State Representative Hubert Delaney, snacks, and giving-thanks-inspired arts & crafts.
In the true spirit of giving, SPEF wrapped up the year by providing over 1,000 books to numerous community partners’ events including:
- December 2: The City of Stamford’s Mayor’s Literacy Initiative
- December 3: Starfish’s end-of-year holiday gathering
- December 9: Building One Community’s holiday party, where SPEF’s new, age-appropriate books reinforced the joy of reading to the children that attended.