Book giveaway promotes literacy

The National Council of Jewish Women/Los Angeles has announced its participation in the Kids' Court at the NoHo Arts Festival from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sat. and Sun., May 20 and 21, in the NoHo Arts District of North Hollywood.

The council will donate up to 1,000 used books.

Children will have an opportunity to create their own bookmarks and then select a book of their choice to take home. This donation provides children an opportunity to improve their literacy skills and build their home libraries.

The council's volunteers will also teach children how to make a "Chamsa," a popular good luck amulet in many middle-eastern countries. To join in the book drive, fes

tival attendees are encouraged to bring their own new and used children's books to Kids Court and deposit them at the council's booth.

Books will then be sorted and distributed to the many other community service programs that council volunteers provide to more than 5,000 women, children and families each year.

Book giveaways are one of many literacy and arts education services provided by Women Helping Children Art and Literacy Programs, a community service of the council, including: Light Up A Library, After School Homework Connection, Art Bridges Culture, Art Pals and Teen Literacy programs.

These programs are designed to help children and youth discover the role art and literacy plays in their lives to improve critical thinking skills, build self confidence, gain a clearer understanding of art and its relationship to their lives, increase language skills and have fun.

The council is partnering with Theatre of Hope and the NoHo Arts Festival to continue their commitment to "Faith in the Fu

ture, Belief in Action." Founded locally in 1909, National Council of Jewish Women, Los Angeles is a nonsectarian, nonprofit organization.