Verizon Season's Readings

For less than the cost of a "venti" hot chocolate at Starbucks, you can give a cool gift that lasts a lot longer. Here's how: the Verizon Foundation's annual Season's Readings campaign.

The Verizon Foundation's annual Season's Readings campaign - which runs through Friday, Dec. 11 - collects new and gently used children's books and delivers them to libraries and local literacy groups. Verizon's holiday tradition of donating children's books began in 2001, and employees have enthusiastically participated, donating more than 2 million books to some 3,500 schools, libraries and nonprofits.

Donating is easy...

Donate online at First Book, the Verizon Foundation's partner in this year's campaign (online donations to First Book are tax-deductible). First Book gives children from low-income families the opportunity to read and own their first new books.

For every book you purchase through the online donation site, Random House will match that with one children's book

• $5 buys two new books
• $10 buys five new books
• $15 buys seven new books
• $20 buys 10 new books
• $25 buys 12 new books

Drop off a new or gently-used children's book at a Season's Reading book bin at a work location near you.

If you would like to donate a large-print, Braille or audio book for people with vision or hearing problems, please contact Jeffrey Pledger at jeffrey.d.pledger1@verizonbusiness.com or 301-236-3174.

Season's Readings is part of Verizon's commitment to improve literacy levels in the United States. Through Verizon Thinkfinity, the Verizon Foundation offers free, online resource for literacy instructors, tutors, teachers, librarians, parents and volunteers to give them the tools to advance literacy and learning. The Thinkfinity Literacy Network provides a wealth of professional-development courses, top-quality student materials, best teaching practices, hundreds of resources and educational content created by trusted and leading experts.

If you have any questions about the Season's Readings campaign, please contact verizon.volunteers@verizon.com.