I believe the best ideas come from a place of compassion, and a timeless childlike understanding.
An understanding of children’s playful nature, and their want for an alternate universe. Perhaps a secret garden to romp in; where everything is in full bloom. A place where the soft grass and flimsy weeds whack against bare legs running under weeping willows that shade them from the sun.
Or maybe they yearn to solve mysteries with Nancy Drew, chewing on their hair while curled up underneath a blanket. Holding flashlights against pages so full of suspense they may be too heavy to turn. Likely hours past bedtime and risking it all to catch the culprit with a spectacular disguise.
That’s what reading was for me. It was the safest place. Reading from a young age resulted in feeling equipped to engage in an array of conversations, communicating my ideas clearly. I have never felt such confidence as I do from being well versed.
United Way understood the importance of accessible books, deciding to collaborate with all of Idaho to supply literature for children all over the Treasure Valley, resulting in many business places promoting their drive. Consequently giving Idahoans the opportunity to preserve and contribute towards our next generations intellect and imagination.
When I heard that Hawkins would be volunteering for their cause, I knew immediately that this was something I wanted to be involved in. I felt pride. Pride in my company for exhibiting compassion and being proactive about something that is not often given the emphasis it deserves. It is a rewarding and beautiful thing, giving back.
United Way is nurturing young children’s love for learning, one novel at a time.
How can I help give books to low-income kids?
April 6th: United Way Children’s Book Drive Kickoff 
Noon to 2pm at Barnes & Noble, Boise
Come by for some family fun, meet local authors, and participate in literacy building activities geared for kids of all ages!
April 6th-12th: United Way Children’s Book Drive
Donate new and gently used books the week of April 6th through April 12th. Find a complete list of book drop off locations below.
April 16th – 18th: United Way Book Bash
Have you ever wondered how all the tens of thousands of donated books get to the kids that need them? Well, it’s by volunteer power!
Join us at the United Way office and bring your friends, family, and co-workers for a few hours of volunteering fun. Meet amazing people, enjoy music, and snacks while you help us clean, sort, and pack book orders. Click here to sign up to volunteer.
Book Bash location: 8740 W Fairview Ave, Boise, ID 83704
Book Drive drop off locations:
Treasure Valley-wide Book Drive drop off locations
Albertsons stores
Banner Banks
Book It Forward collection bins
CapEd Federal Credit Unions in the Treasure Valley and the Magic Valley
First Interstate Banks
Icon Credit Unions
KeyBank
Mountain West Banks
Washington Federal
Washington Trust
Boise Book Drive drop off locations
Big Brothers Big Sisters 110 N. 27th Street
Boise Metro Chamber 1101 W. Front St., Ste. 100
City of Boise 150 N. Capitol Blvd.
Clear Water Analytics Building Lobby 777 W. Main
Create Common Good 2513 S. Federal Way #100
Curtis Restaurant Equipment Inc.7590 W. Victory Road Boise – with every donation, you receive 10% discount on any smallwares order (excludes equipment sales), not combined with any other offers
D.L. Evans – 1600 S. Vista Ave. Boise
D.L. Evans – 7450 W. Emerald St. Boise
D.L. Evans – 3845 W. State St. Boise
Internal Brotherhood of Electrical Workers 2215 N. 16th Street #110
Kaia Fit 2590 N. Bogus Basin
Larry Miller Honda 7710 Gratz Drive
Local Union 291 255 N. 16th Street
Office Furniture Solutions 397 Steelhead Way
Smoke Guard 287 N. Maple Grove Rd
US Bank Building Lobby 101 S Capitol Blvd Ste. 102
View Point Windows Front Lobby 1150 N Curtis Rd.
Windermere 2417 Bogus Basin Road
Zions Bank Building Lobby 800 W. Main Boise
Caldwell Book Donation Locations
The Hartwell Corporation 1220 Cleveland Blvd.
West Valley Medical Center 1717 Arlington Ave
Eagle Book Drive drop off locations
Windermere Real Estate Professionals 450 State St.
D.L. Evans – 402 S. Eagle Rd. Eagle
Eagle River Smiles 66` S, Rivershore Lane #220
Garden City Book Drive drop off locations
Dickey’s Barbeque Pit 6708 N. Glenwood Rd.
Garden City Public Library 6015 Glenwood Street
Genesis Community Health 215 W. 35th Street
U-Haul 8151 Chinden Blvd.
Kuna Book Donation Locations
Albertsons
Meridian Book Drive drop off locations
Dickey’s Barbeque Pit 2845 E. Overland Ste. 190
D.L. Evans – 1875 S. Eagle Rd. Meridian
D.L. Evans – 2560 E. Fairview Ave. Meridian, ID 83646
First Federal 1880 S. Eagle Rd.
Meridian Library 3531 E. Overland Rd.
Meridian Library 1326 W Cherry Lane
T-0 Engineers 2471 S. Titanium Place
Nampa Book Drive drop off locations
D.L. Evans – 1310 12th Ave. Nampa, ID 83686
Dickey’s Barbeque Pit 16565 N. Marketplace Blvd.
Nampa Library 215 12th Ave.
Pacific Press Publishing 1350 N Kings Road
