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Fundraiser looks to provide books for low-income students
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For the second year, a partnership between Friends of the Turlock Public Library, Turlock’s dd’s Discounts and First Book will give students who otherwise may not have the means to afford books a chance to read at home.

From Aug. 5 through 27, dd’s Discounts will collect donations from customers and Friends of the Turlock Public Library will use 100 percent of the proceeds toward the purchase of brand new, high-quality books from First Book for local children in need.

“Sometimes, families don’t have the resources to purchase books for their children. It’s not that they don’t want them to read,” said FOTPL past-President Jackie Oyer. “And schools have libraries, but there’s nothing like having a few books of your own.”

Books purchased by FOTPL from First Book, a nonprofit social enterprise that provides books to children in need, will be distributed to low-income students at elementary schools throughout Turlock. Last year, roughly $1,500 was raised to provide books for students at Osborn, Wakefield and Julien elementary schools.

According to Oyer, dd’s Discounts management hopes to see customers donate twice that amount this year so that the fundraiser can also benefit groups like Jessica’s House and foster services such as Aspiranet.

“Not all kids are lucky enough to go into Barnes and Noble and pick out a book,” she said.

Though this is only the second year FOTPL has partnered with dd’s Discounts, the organization’s relationship with the business goes as far back as the store’s grand opening, when management presented the Friends group with a check for $2,500. Now, the two local groups are hoping the Turlock community is willing to donate to their cause.

“We really want to encourage people to give, even if it’s just a buck,” said Oyer. “The more we receive, the more books we can order and the more children can read.”

Donations benefitting FOTPL’s efforts to bring books to students in need can be given at the cash registers in dd’s Discounts, located at 601 N. Golden State Blvd. The store’s hours are Monday through Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.