BankRI’s Woonsocket branch kicks off support for Books Are Wings

WOONSOCKET — In recognition of March as National Reading Awareness Month, Bank Rhode Island (BankRI) has again stepped up to help Books Are Wings improve childhood literacy with the start of its 8th annual Book Drive.

Throughout the month, each of the Bank’s 20 branches across the state, including its Woonsocket location at 1175 Cumberland Hill Road, will host a collection of new and gently-used children’s books, helping to put free books in the hands of local children from some of Rhode Island’s neediest communities. The effort is an easy way for members of the community to help foster a love of reading among local youth while providing them an opportunity to begin building their own library at home.

“A child’s ability to read and fall in love with books builds the foundation for their success in the classroom and their success in life,” said Patricia O’Donnell-Saracino, Vice President of Commu- nity Relations for BankRI. “While it is troubling to learn that many children in our state do not have age appropriate books in their homes, I know that our customers and colleagues will respond generously to help make a difference in the lives of local youth.”

BankRI began its booka drive partnership with Books Are Wings, a Pawtucket-based nonprofit whose mission is to provide access to books to every childc in Rhode Island, in 2011. Since its inception, the drive has generated nearly 15,000 books, including 2,339 in 2017. For this year’s effort, BankRI has set a goal to collect 2,500 books.

For a list of BankRI branches, their addresses and hours of operation, visit www.bankri.com/locations.