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.