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Organizers of book drive want to help children succeed, spark imagination

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Barnes & Noble Kahului has selected the Maui Economic Opportunity’s Head Start program as the beneficiary of this year’s Holiday Book Drive. Shown with popular titles that may be purchased and donated to the drive are (from left) MEO Assistant Director of Early Childhood Services Alex Domingo, senior bookseller Talitha Daksla and lead bookseller Kristy Ruelos. Courtesy photo/Maui Economic Opportunity

The Barnes & Noble in Kahului is supporting preschoolers at Maui Economic Opportunity's Head Start through the bookstore's annual holiday book drive.

The drive will continue through Dec. 12, and people who purchase books at Barnes & Noble Kahului can donate them to the effort.

According to the organization, MEO's Head Start operates eight sites on Maui and one on Molokai with a total enrollment of about 180 children. Preschool for 3-year-olds and 4-year-olds is offered at no cost to the families, most of whom could not afford the $1,000 a month cost.

MEO has been the beneficiary of the Barnes & Noble Kahului book drive in the past and received as many as 1,000 books.

"We are so grateful for Barnes & Noble Kahului and store manager Jenifer Neale selecting MEO Head Start as the beneficiary of the holiday book drive," MEO CEO Debbie Cabebe said in a statement. "Some of our families cannot afford books for their children. The letters, the words, sentences, stories lay the foundation for reading and future success and ignite the imagination to possibilities and wonders."

To make a donation, people should let the cashier know they are purchasing a book for the drive. Board books and picture books would be age-appropriate.

Only items purchased in Barnes & Noble Kahului will be accepted for the book drive.

Head Start is one of the first programs established by MEO 59 years ago. For more information about MEO Head Start, call (808) 249-2988.

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