FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 10, 2010

Driving Books into the Hands of Children: METRO Transit Distributes Books at Downtown Transit Center

OKLAHOMA CITY – Thousands of children’s books will be distributed to the community at the Downtown Transit Center at 420 NW 5 on Friday, Aug. 13 from 7 to 10 a.m. as part of the sixth-annual Caring for Kids Book by Book literacy campaign.

For the third year, Bank of Oklahoma and Junior League of Oklahoma City have teamed with METRO Transit to distribute children’s books to their riders and the community.

The distribution event will include free books, a visit from the official literacy mascot “Will Readmore” and giveaways including messenger bags filled with school supplies.

According to the Oklahoma Department of Libraries, a child’s literacy level is strongly linked to the educational level of their parents, especially their mothers. And according to the Oklahoma City Literacy Council, 140,000 adults in the Oklahoma City area read at, or below, a first grade level.

“With nearly 10,000 riders coming through the Downtown Transit Center daily, METRO Transit is the perfect partner to help us reach children and parents in our community,” Jill Greene, president of Junior League of Oklahoma City.

“This is our third year to participate in the literacy campaign, and we see it as a prime opportunity to help promote literacy in Oklahoma City,” said Michael Scroggins, METRO Transit marketing director. “I look forward to seeing some beginning readers walk away with what could become their favorite book.”

The Junior League of Oklahoma City’s focus is “changing lives through literacy.” They fulfill that focus each year through book drives and other literacy initiatives. Junior League of OKC will also distribute a portion of the books to nonprofits within Oklahoma City that submitted a needs request.

About METRO Transit METRO Transit is a division of the Central Oklahoma Transportation & Parking Authority. COTPA, a public trust administered by the City of Oklahoma City, is responsible for providing safe, efficient and convenient public transportation to the citizens of the greater Oklahoma City area.

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About METRO Transit

METRO Transit is a division of the Central Oklahoma Transportation & Parking Authority. COTPA, a public trust administered by the City of Oklahoma City, is responsible for providing safe, efficient and convenient public transportation to the citizens of the greater Oklahoma City area. For route information or to learn more about METRO Transit, visit gometro.org.