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'If You Give A Child A Book' campaign to benefit local elementary school in Tampa

Posted at 5:13 PM, Sep 04, 2020
and last updated 2020-09-04 17:13:08-04

A child who can’t read at grade level by third grade is four times less likely to graduate from high school. This same child is 13 times less likely to graduate if they live in poverty.

ABC Action News and the Scripps Howard Foundation have teamed up to raise money to give books to Oak Park Elementary.

Why Oak Park Elementary?

Oak Park Elementary located in Tampa is a K-5 school with almost 600 children.

By contributing to this year’s campaign, we can make sure children in this school receive books and are able to share the experience with their families.

During the week of Sept. 7, ABC Action News will be promoting the importance of reading during all broadcasts.

ABC Action News viewers will have the opportunity to donate directly on abcactionnews.com/giveabook, which will benefit Oak Park Elementary

“Research shows the achievement gap that exists between low-income and high-income children can be narrowed or even closed simply by giving books to kids who may not have them in their homes,” said Liz Carter, president and CEO of the Scripps Howard Foundation. “When you give a child a book, you give them a chance at success. Kids who learn to read are more likely to graduate, to vote and to be civically involved. Because of this inextricable connection, childhood literacy is a key part of our mission to create a better-informed world and our responsibility to the communities we serve.”

About Scripps The E.W. Scripps Company (NASDAQ: SSP) advances understanding of the world through journalism. As the nation’s fourth-largest independent TV station owner, Scripps operates 60 television stations in 42 markets. Scripps empowers the next generation of news consumers with its multiplatform news network Newsy and reaches growing audiences through broadcast networks including Bounce and Court TV. Shaping the future of storytelling through digital audio, Scripps owns top podcast company Stitcher and Triton, the global leader in technology and measurement services. Scripps runs an award-winning investigative reporting newsroom in Washington, D.C., and is the longtime steward of the Scripps National Spelling Bee. Founded in 1878, Scripps has held for decades to the motto, “Give light and the people will find their own way.