|
Marquette, Milwaukee Men's Soccer Announce Book Drive Partnership
Aug. 19, 2009
MILWAUKEE - The Marquette University men's soccer team, in collaboration with the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee men's squad, announced today an organized children's book drive at all home games in the month of September. Collected books will be donated to the Next Door Foundation's Books for Kids program. Both teams are offering $1 off the price of admission for donating a book at the gate, beginning Sept. 1 at Valley Fields when MU will host the Panthers in this year's Milwaukee Cup (7 p.m.). Quality new and used children's books will be collected throughout September. "The Milwaukee Cup is an important game in the Milwaukee soccer community, so Sept. 1 is an ideal time to launch this partnership," said Marquette head coach Louis Bennett. "Books for Kids is a great project for our program to be involved in. I'm sure that whoever comes to the games will rally around this effort, because it's helping the community and is very much in line with what we are about as a University." "We are really excited that the two local universities could come together to support this cause and help as many kids as we can," said Milwaukee head coach Jon Coleman. "We are looking for everyone's support on this project and think the Milwaukee Cup game against Marquette will be a great way to kick off the drive. The UWM soccer program is looking forward to connecting with the kids in the community and giving back to them." Toddler and pre-school books are in high demand. Donated children's books will be distributed by Books for Kids, a branch of the Next Door Foundation in Milwaukee. Founded in 1969, the Next Door Foundation plays a vital community role by serving more than 2,150 Milwaukee central city children, youth and parents each year. "Next Door Foundation is fortunate to be part of a new partnership with Marquette University and the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee Men's soccer teams," said Next Door Foundation executive director Carol Keintz. "This partnership brings together two great universities to benefit the children and families of central city Milwaukee through Next Door Foundation's Books for Kids program. Books for Kids, a family literacy program, creates opportunities for children's academic success in schools and improves family literacy by giving books and literacy resources to build home libraries in our community."
Next Door Foundation's Books for Kids program is in its 19th year. Since its inception, the program has distributed nearly half a million children's books throughout Milwaukee's central city. The mission of the Books for Kids program is based on the idea that ALL children should have books to call their own. "Research demonstrates that when children have books at home, and have opportunities to read with adults, their chances for academic success dramatically increases," added Keintz. "Through the generous support of Marquette and UWM, these top University soccer teams, will be positively influencing the lives of children in our communities. Next Door Foundation, our families and children, are excited about this opportunity, and are grateful for this wonderful partnership." Marquette Men's Soccer Milwaukee Men's Soccer This release courtesy of the Marquette Sports Information Department Contact: Luke LeNoble |
|
