Family Development Center book drive fosters children's learning
The Governors State University (GSU) Family Development Center (FDC) recently hosted a book drive to support children’s love for learning that gathered about 80 books, 24 items from the FDC’s Amazon wish list, and roughly $700 in monetary gifts.
“FDC is so thrilled by the generous donations from students, staff, and supporters. We are looking forward to using some of the monetary donations to enhance our STEM curriculum,” said Erin Soto, Executive Director of Family Development Center.
“We are very excited to share what we are learning and would love it if readers followed along on our social media accounts,” continued Soto. “Some of the upcoming STEM projects this spring include creating and growing a vegetable garden, and an embryology and incubation project involving hatching quail eggs.” 
During the drive’s opening on Valentine’s Day, children from FDC shared cookies and thanks in GSU’s Hall of Governors. They also handed out flyers that encouraged people to support GSU’s Junior Jaguars by donating books or art supplies, or by sending a monetary gift online.
Sponsored by the Office of the Provost and the College of Education (COE), with the COE Program Director Penny Perdue playing an instrumental role in coordinating the event, the book drive was held to support FDC on its mission to provide an exceptional learning experience for children, as well as to encourage reading.
“With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, I thought let’s build on the College of Education’s theme of “Love as a Protective Factor,” and show some love with books for the children in the Family Development Center,” said Provost Beverly Schneller, who came up with the book drive idea.
“We want children to have fun, be creative, and learn all at the same time, which is what our FDC offers, broadly stated. Books are a wonderful passport to building the imagination and being intellectually stimulated at the same time,” continued Provost Schneller.
Follow FDC's projects on Instagram and Facebook @GSUchildren.