OTOWI STATION News:

Otowi Station, Los Alamos Rotary Club and Self-Help, Inc., have partnered to provide free books to 500 local disadvantaged schoolchildren through this summer’s “A Book of My Very Own” campaign.

The campaign, which ends Aug. 1, is now halfway to its goal.

The books will be distributed with school supplies for the neediest elementary school children in Los Alamos and surrounding communities, as designated by school counselors.

The project is part of Self-Help’s “Tools for Schools” program.

“We’ve been delighted with the response so far,” said Ellen Ben-Naim, children’s book buyer at Otowi Station Bookstore. “We’re hoping that the next several days will push us over the top.” She added with a laugh, “We know that our procrastinators will be in soon!”

Linda Hull, coordinator of the project for Los Alamos Rotary Club, added, “With A Book of My Very Own, we will reach out to an underserved population, children in kindergarten through sixth grade, whose access to reading experiences outside the classroom are limited. Folks in our community can buy a copy of a book at Otowi Station Bookstore, and Los Alamos Rotary Club will match the purchase with a second book.”

Among the service projects adopted by the Los Alamos Rotary Club are programs promoting early childhood education and literacy.

Self Help, Inc. is committed to enhancing life skills and empowering individuals by providing programs and services that focus on developing self-reliance.

Otowi Station is a full-service independent bookstore serving Los Alamos and the region.

For more information about A Book of My Very Own, contact Otowi Station Bookstore at 662-9589.