For further information contact:
David Broderic (717) 255-7169
Wythe Keever (717) 255-7107

HARRISBURG (Nov. 16, 2017) – Dolores McCracken, president of the Pennsylvania State Education Association, issued the following statement today, announcing that PSEA members across the state have been conducting book drives to donate books to students who need them.

“PSEA members are absolutely committed to the students they serve, and encouraging our students to read is one of the most important things that we can do to support lifelong learning. During American Education Week, dozens of PSEA locals across the state have been coordinating book drives so that kids who need them have books to read.

“From Central Bucks to Cumberland Valley, from Franklin Area to Allentown – all across the state, PSEA members have collected thousands of books. This is a really impressive accomplishment.

“I’m always so proud to highlight ways that educators go above and beyond their job descriptions. I’ve been involved with public education for more than two decades, and I’ve seen this dedication countless times. Educators and support professionals literally change kids’ lives – every day.

“These book drives are just one very powerful example of how the men and women who teach Pennsylvania’s children are utterly committed to doing everything they can to help them.”

Local associations that have coordinated book drives include:

• PSEA Southeastern Region. (Delaware and Chester counties)
• PSEA Northeastern Region. (Northumberland, Montour, Columbia, Sullivan, Bradford, Susquehanna, Wyoming, Luzerne, Lackawanna, Wayne, Pike, and Monroe counties)
• PSEA Eastern Region. (Berks, Schuylkill, Carbon, Lehigh, and Northampton counties)
• Cumberland Valley Education Association. (Cumberland County)
• Spring-Ford Education Association. (Montgomery County)
• Big Spring Education Association. (Cumberland County)
• Franklin Area Education Association. (Venango County)
• Council Rock Education Association. (Bucks County)
• Leechburg Education Association. (Armstrong County)
• Conrad Weiser Education Association. (Berks County)
• Lebanon County Coordinating Council.
• Reading Education Association. (Berks County)
• Allentown Education Association. (Lehigh County)
• Central Bucks Education Association. (Bucks County)
• Valley View Education Association. (Lackawanna County)
• Hopewell Education Association. (Beaver County)

McCracken is a paraprofessional in the Council Rock School District. An affiliate of the National Education Association, PSEA represents approximately 181,000 future, active and retired teachers and school employees, and health care workers in Pennsylvania.