American Heritage Credit Union (“American Heritage”) has donated over 7,000 new books to hospitals, community centers, and special care facilities throughout the Philadelphia and suburban region during its 13th Annual Books for Kids program. The program collected over $14,000 in donations from members throughout the summer and fall to purchase and distribute the books. Since inception, the program has donated over 61,000 books and raised over $140,000.
In its thirteenth year, American Heritage invited members to support its Books for Kids program by becoming “Book Buddies” and donating $3 to purchase a new book to be donated to local hospitals and organizations in American Heritage’s field of membership. When a member purchases a book donation, a label is included with the donor’s name and affixed inside the book.
18 local charities and organizations that received book donations include:
| Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Bucks County
Catholic Community Services Christ’s Home CORA Services Family Service Association of Bucks County Grand View Hospital Hardy Williams Mastery Charter KenCCID KenCrest |
Lutheran Settlement House
Pan American Academy Charter School Partnership for Community Supports Providence Center Ronald McDonald House SPIN St. Francis - St. Vincent Homes Wissahickon School District YMCA |
American Heritage also made a special book donation to the “Reach Out and Read” program at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, which promotes early literacy and school readiness in pediatrics by giving books to children and educating their parents on the importance of reading.
“With all the challenges children and schools have faced the past few years, our book donations are needed now more than ever,” stated Bruce K. Foulke, President & CEO of American Heritage. “Children deserve educational enrichment and as many opportunities to advance literacy as possible, and I am so appreciative of American Heritage’s Board of Directors, associates and valued members who have contributed to this program and are helping to advance this cause.”
American Heritage associates presented Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia’s Reach Out and Read Program with a special donation of 4,000 books to promote early literacy and school readiness in pediatrics. (From Left to Right: Caitlin Kane, American Heritage Credit Union; Gina Pelbano, American Heritage Credit Union; Kirsten Rogers, Coordinator, Reach Out and Read at CHOP; Mike Dinneen, American Heritage Credit Union; William Quinn, American Heritage Credit Union.)
American Heritage’s Books for Kids Program promotes children’s literacy and makes book donations each year to local-area hospitals and other organizations.
The Books for Kids Program committee labels each book with the donors’ names inside the book’s front cover prior to distribution.
