- Benay Hicks
- 52 minutes ago
- 3 min read
For Immediate Release
Book Harvest Contact: Benay Hicks, Chief External Relations Officer
857-225-5039
Book Harvest and Boston-Thurmond United Launch Boston-Thurmond Book Initiative in Winston-Salem
Hundreds of students at three Winston-Salem schools to take home 10 new books each
WINSTON-SALEM, NC (December 16, 2025) – Boston-Thurmond United and Book Harvest announced today the successful kickoff of the Boston-Thurmond Book Initiative in Winston-Salem, bringing the joy of book ownership to 125 kindergarten students across three schools this past month.
Through Books for K events held at Anderson Academy, Cook Literacy Model School, and Kimberley Park Elementary, each kindergartener experienced the excitement of selecting ten brand new books to take home and keep forever. The initiative represents the first phase of a comprehensive two-part book ownership celebration that will continue at these schools over the next three years.
"Books for K creates a magical welcome and entry point into formal education," said Regina Hall, Executive Director of Boston-Thurmond United. "When these young students select their very own books—books they can read again and again with their families—they are laying the foundation for a lifelong love of reading."
During each Books for K event, students wore special Books for K crowns and chose their ten books from a diverse selection of high-interest titles provided by Book Harvest. They took their new books home in special bags filled with information about kindergarten and the importance of shared reading. The final of these events was held at Kimberley Park Elementary today.
“Witnessing the students select their books to add to their home libraries with so much enthusiasm has been a joy. This experience is only possible because of the generosity and philanthropic leadership of local literacy champions here in Winston-Salem,” shared Book Harvest Board Chair Anna Reilly, a Winston-Salem resident.
Books for K is designed to nurture shared reading routines that support early literacy skills while celebrating the delight of book selection and ownership. Book Harvest provides all books, materials, and training to partner schools, ensuring a memorable experience for every student.
The Boston-Thurmond Book Initiative will continue to serve students at Anderson Academy, Cook Elementary, and Kimberley Park Elementary through Books on Break. This second component of this two-part program ensures that every one of the 662 students in these schools will select 10 books at the start of summer, thus continuing to build their home libraries throughout their elementary years and have the tools to practice their reading all summer long.
About Book Harvest:
Book Harvest’s mission is books for every child, support for every parent, and literacy for every community. Internationally recognized for its work to transform children's literacy, Book Harvest has provided more than 2.9 million books to children and families since its founding in 2011, ensuring that children grow up from birth owning an abundance of books and that parents have the tools and power to ignite and strengthen their children's literacy for a lifetime. With programs that are grounded in evidence, Book Harvest believes that literacy starts at birth, in the home, powered by parents, and nourished with books. Learn more at bookharvest.org.
Access the Book Harvest brand guide, including logos, photos, and videos: https://bookharvest.org/media-kit/
About Boston-Thurmond United:
Boston-Thurmond United is a nonprofit based in the Boston-Thurmond neighborhood located in Winston-Salem, NC. The mission of Boston-Thurmond United is to combat intergenerational poverty at the neighborhood level by making key investments in housing, education, and community wellness. Boston-Thurmond United is a member of Purpose Built Communities and has led the revitalization effort in Boston-Thurmond since May 2019.
Learn more about Boston-Thurmond United at bostonthurmondunited.org or email Regina Hall (Executive Director) at regina@bostonthurmondunited.org
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