LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) – Texas Tech and BYU came together for a book drive earlier this month. What they thought was a simple collaboration turned into a major success.<\/p>\n
\u201cGetting the word out about literacy is so important. It impacts so much.\u201d<\/p>\n
Beth Tucker, a Literacy Lubbock board member, and Kim Marsh, the BYU alumni Lubbock chapter chair, came together to spread the message, even as their two teams met on the field.<\/p>\n
\u201cEvery away game has a tailgate and it has a Cougs Care service project tied to it,\u201d Marsh said. \u201cAs Lubbock alumni, we got together as a chapter and we discussed different needs in the community. The spotlight was shown on Literacy Lubbock and we said this is a fantastic organization, we really want to work with them.\u201d<\/p>\n
The collaboration was on full display in the week leading up to BYU\u2019s game versus Texas Tech. Book drive drop-off locations were placed around the city, and the results speak for themselves.<\/p>\n
\u201cAbout 4,500 books were donated and then about 1,800 from the Amazon Wishlist,\u201d Tucker said.<\/p>\n
With roughly 6,300 total donations, it\u2019s a total neither side could\u2019ve seen coming.<\/p>\n
\u201cOn the BYU side of things, they\u2019ve been doing Cougs Care projects for seven years and this is the largest yielding service project that they\u2019ve seen,\u201d Marsh said. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s going to change people\u2019s lives,\u201d Tucker said. \u201cIt\u2019s going change children\u2019s lives, it\u2019s going to change their parent\u2019s lives and what they\u2019re able to do for the community.\u201d<\/p>\n
While BYU and Texas Tech are now a part of the same conference, this new relationship is turning into one everyone can get behind, and it only looks to grow stronger.<\/p>\n
\u201cI mean, it\u2019s incredible,\u201d Tucker said. \u201cJust being able to see where we\u2019ve coming from earlier this year to where we\u2019re going to finish the year, we\u2019re just so thankful for y\u2019all and what you were able to start and spark in our community. Thank you.\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cWe feel the same way,\u201d Marsh said. \u201cIt\u2019s something that benefits everybody, and we\u2019re grateful for the relationships we\u2019ve made and this path we\u2019ve created to start on.\u201d<\/p>\n