• Problem:

Children's Books Needed to Build Literacy in Western South Dakota
The 2011 Readiatrics Book Drive is collecting new and gently used books for children receiving services from the SD Dept of Health with offices in Rapid City, Hill City, Pine Ridge, Porcupine, Kyle and Ellsworth Air Force Base. Donated books will also be distributed to selected Rapid City schools through Partnership Rapid City and distributed to children without access to books in their homes.

• Answer:

Readiatrics Book Drive

• How can you help?

1. Donate books - new or used in good condition in March and April 2011
2. Collect books through your neighborhood school, church or other organization.
3. Join us as an organization project partner

Readiatrics has raised over 80,000 books in the past 10 years, for children in family or medical crisis. Collected new and used books leave with the children to build literacy in the home.  

Rapid City
Book Drop Locations:

Black Hills Federal Credit Union
(All Black Hills Locations)

Rapid City Public Library

Dahl Arts Center

Borders Books and Music

Rapid City Area Chamber of Commerce Office

Project Partners:

Black Hills Federal Credit Union

Cultural Affairs Committee of the Rapid City Chamber Commerce

Rapid City Arts Council at the Dahl

Borders Books and Music

Mid-Continent Communications

Current Events Club of Rapid City

Rapid City Public Library

The Readiatrics Book Drive providing new and gently used children’s books for children experiencing crisis in family or health circumstances, recently announced a donation of $1500 from the John T. Vucurevich Foundation in support of the local drive. Financial support from the John T. Vucurevich Foundation will be used to buy books of cultural relevance highlighting Hispanic, American Indian, African American, Asian, or developmentally-challenged children. Books about children in single parent homes, grandparents as primary caregivers and foster families are also purchased for the drive with the grant funds.
“There is a high demand for books of cultural relevance from the organizations served by Readiatrics,” said Darla Drew Lerdal, founder and yearly coordinator for the book drive. “We don’t get many books about children from diverse backgrounds donated to the drive; the specialized books must be purchased. The John T. Vurcurevich Foundation certainly helps fill the need.”

Readiatrics generates a source of books for children in need to take home and keep. Due to the generous nature of individuals and organizations in Rapid City and the surrounding area, Readiatrics has collected approximately 80,000 books for children since 2001. In 2011, the drive will collect books in March and April to donate to SD Dept of Health with 7 clinics in Western South Dakota. Donated books will also be distributed to selected Rapid City schools through Partnership Rapid City.
For more information or to donate to the Readiatrics book drive, call Darla Drew Lerdal at 605-341-5940 or visit www.readiatrics.com.

Readiatrics has raised thousands of books for kids, teens and adults. Children's literacy is the reason Readiatrics was established, however new and used books for all reading levels find a good home.
Click here to find out where the books were donated.

For more information or to make a donation call Darla Drew Lerdal at 605-341-5940 or ddrewlerdal@rushmore.com.