EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14) — This holiday season, Land Rover of El Paso is doing more than showcasing luxury vehicles – they’re helping drive real change in the community. In a heartwarming partnership with Books Are Gems, the dealership is donating 2,500 brand new books to children across the Sun City.
Land Rover’s involvement extends beyond El Paso. The automaker launched a coast to coast Book Trek movement, selecting dealerships across the country to participate in the initiative. The books arrived on a 1,000 pound pallet, the books were preselected for boys and girls from kindergarten through middle school.
Johnny Pattison, General Manager of Land Rover of El Paso couldn’t have been more happy to been one of the many dealerships selected to help give back.
“Giving back to the community is very important,” Pattison said. “We look forward to partnering with Books Are Gems again next year and doing this again and again to give back to the community.”
Emma Acosta, Executive Director of Books Are Gems shared the organization has a simple but powerful mission to help increase literacy rates in El Paso.
“Every child that visits our bookstore gets one new book and ten gently used books of their choice,” Acosta said. “Right now 18% of children cannot read, we want to make sure 100% of our children read.”
Teachers are also welcomed with open arms, gaining access to tools and resources to help stock their classrooms.
Among the many voices behind the initiative is Tomas Borras-Acosta, VP of Border Directors of Books Are Gems who shared a powerful childhood connection. Growing up he struggled with reading, it wasn’t until a teacher at his local elementary school stepped in to help.
“She took us out of school and class and thought us how to read,” Borras-Acosta said. “She would also send us home with a few books.”
Borras-Acosta, believes that every book has the potential to reshape a child’s future, offering new worlds, new ideas, and new possibilities.
Books Are Gems accepts new and gently used book donations, monetary donations, and invites the community to join their mission.
BOOKS ARE GEMS
7744 North Loop, Suite B
(915) 845 -5437
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