Book Buddies seeks children’s book donations during April drive

CHELAN — A local literacy program is calling on the community to help support young readers by donating new or used children’s books throughout the month of April.

Book Buddies, launched by Rotary in 2020, was created to support Chelan and Manson elementary school teachers in strengthening students’ basic reading skills while fostering a lifelong love of reading.

The program relies on more than 50 volunteers who visit local elementary schools twice a month, reading with second- and third-grade students and working one-on-one with selected students in school libraries.

In addition to reading support, Book Buddies operates a book giveaway program that allows students to choose books to keep and take home. Every other month at Chelan Elementary, all students in kindergarten through fifth grade can select a book. At the end of the school year, each student receives five additional books to read over the summer. A similar program is offered in Manson schools.

Organizers say the program will distribute nearly 9,000 books during the 2025-26 school year, reaching hundreds of students across the two communities.

To help meet that demand, the public is encouraged to donate new or gently used children’s books during April. Donation bins are available at several locations:

• Chelan: Riverwalk Books, Chelan Chamber of Commerce and Cashmere Valley Bank
  
  
• Manson: The Manson Market and Manson Elementary School
  
  

Organizers say community support is essential to sustaining the program and ensuring students have access to books both in and out of the classroom.