IKEA holds book drive for tots

Claudia Peschiutta

BURBANK - It is an event that will give those who participate a chance

to offer others something to be thankful for.

IKEA Burbank and the Burbank chapter of the Retired and Senior

Volunteer Program are holding a book drive today for children being

served by the YWCA of Glendale’s Domestic Violence Project.

“It’s important for a company of our size to help the community that

supports it,” said Chrissy Pearce, an IKEA spokeswoman and organizer of

the event. “We want to make sure that we’re not just taking and not

giving back.”

Lara Shuttleworth, director of development for the YWCA of Glendale,

said she was happy to get the call from Pearce offering to hold the book

drive.

“We’ve actually been seeing a drop-off in our Christmas donations, so

it was kind of refreshing and exciting,” she said.

Children who have experienced domestic violence are especially in need

of literacy education, according to Shuttleworth.

“Because of the instability of the home situation that they’re coming

from, the children are often behind educationally, so any kind of

literacy program will be of great assistance to them,” she said.

Teaching the children to read is also key to breaking the cycle of

violence, Shuttleworth said.

“They’ll be able to learn about solutions to violence and get an

education, and those are all important steps to getting out of that

lifestyle,” she said.

Pearce said she expects a good turnout for the event. IKEA has been

advertising the event by putting up banners throughout the large home

furnishings store and by handing out fliers to customers, she said.

Those who donate any books or money at the drive will receive a

stuffed heart toy.

HOW TO HELP

* WHAT: Book drive for the children in the Domestic Violence Program

at the YWCA of Glendale

* WHEN: From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. today.

* WHERE: IKEA Burbank, 600 N. San Fernando Blvd., in Burbank

* INFO: IKEA Burbank, the Burbank chapter of the Retired and Senior

Volunteer Program and volunteers from the YWCA of Glendale will be

collecting children’s books, in new or good condition, or cash donations

in the lobby of the store.

* CALL: For more information, call 841-3500, ext. 202.