Words have a magical quality. They can inspire laughter, tears, fear or enlightenment.
In most cases a child's first exposure to these magical collections of letters and their impact will be found in the pages of a book. Children find a cozy lap of mom, dad or grandma and listen with wide-eyed interest as they hear the words spill off the page of their first book.
The holiday season is a perfect time to introduce children to the thrills and joys that can be found in the pages of a book found under their Christmas tree. That is why the Beloit Daily News has sponsored the Books for Kids campaign for 33 years.
We are asking residents to donate gently used or new books that are appropriate for children to the Books for Kids campaign. Once the campaign is over, the books will be delivered to the Salvation Army where they will be distributed to children who may not receive many presents this holiday season. The book collection campaign will end on Dec. 11.
To make donations as convenient as possible, there are eight locations where people can donate books this year.
Thanks to the businesses and libraries who have generously agreed to host book collection boxes, there is a collection box near you if you live in Beloit, South Beloit, Rockton or Roscoe.
Book collection boxes can be found at the following locations:
• Beloit Daily News, 149 State St., Beloit.
• Beloit Public Library, 605 Eclipse Blvd., Beloit.
• Bushel and Peck's Local Market, 328 State St., Beloit.
• Woodman's Food Market, 1877 S. Madison Road, Beloit.
• Culver's restaurant, 2676 Cranston Road, Beloit.
• South Beloit Public Library, 630 Blackhawk Blvd., South Beloit.
• Talcott Free Library, 101 E. Main St., Rockton.
• Schnuck's Grocery, 4860 Hononegah Road, Roscoe.
The Books for Kids campaign also accepts monetary donations. Funds collected will be used to purchase new books from local businesses.
The new books will be added to the used books and all will be given to children in need. Monetary donations can be dropped off at the Beloit Daily News or mailed to Beloit Daily News, 149 State St., Beloit, Wis. 53511. Please make checks payable to Books for Kids.
The Books for Kids campaign collects hundreds of books every year. We have the generous people of the Stateline Area to thank for the continued success of this effort to make the holidays brighter for area children.