DOWNEY – A local nonprofit group donated more than 50,000 children’s books to the Downey Unified School District last week.

The books range from board books for infants and toddlers to novels for teens, and will be distributed by schools as holiday gifts to children.

Many of the books were also donated to local churches and civic groups.

Dozens of volunteers helped sort and deliver the books last Saturday morning from the Downey High parking lot.

“Books, while being a precious commodity, can also be (scarce). In some low-income neighborhoods, you can find just one book for every 300 children,” said Dr. Martha Molina Bernadett, president and founder of the Molina Foundation, which made the donation. “We believe that by distributing these books to groups and families in the community, we can improve children’s chances of success.”

Teacher and community leader Alex Gaytan was instrumental in acquiring the books for Downey.

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Published: Dec. 18, 2014 - Volume 13 - Issue 36