Reading Reindeer wraps up final week

Wrapping up Reading Reindeer deliveries is like to working a jigsaw puzzle. Fitting the pieces together is a ticklish task. Every year since 1998, the West Orange Times has launched Reading Reindeer in early October — outlining the work and projecting the number of books needed to fill requests for books from local organizations, like Toys for Tots. Slowly the books are donated, gathered and counted. Cash donations are used to purchase additional books. Reading Reindeer helpers pick up books from the drop-off locations to label and sort them. Then the books are organized for distribution to the various agencies on Reading Reindeer’s list.

This week, the puzzle pieces are fitting into place, but the finished picture is still a bit blurry. There still are some books to label and a few phone calls to make to confirm deliveries. All of the books will be given out by early next week in time for Christmas.

If you haven’t dropped off your donation yet, please bring your new books for children up to age 15 to the Times office, 720 S. Dillard St., Winter Garden, Florida 34787 during office hours: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Our readers make this literacy effort possible and have been faithful in making it a success for 17 years. The Times will publish a wrap-up article along with a thank-you to donors after the holidays. We are grateful for your continued support to bring the gift of reading to our youngest citizens.