On her birthday, Caitlin Clark has chosen to focus on making a positive impact. This year, the basketball star is commemorating her 23rd birthday by initiating a significant book donation campaign. Through her foundation's collaboration with Scholastic, Clark aims to provide 22,000 new children’s books to young readers in Iowa and Indiana. The initiative targets kids from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, ensuring they have access to resources that can inspire and educate them.
This generous act reflects Clark's commitment to fostering a love for reading among children. She recalls the joy and empowerment she felt as a child when selecting books from Scholastic flyers. Her goal is to recreate this experience for today's youth, encouraging them to develop strong reading skills and expand their imaginations. The books will be distributed to various educational institutions and non-profit organizations, ensuring they reach those who need them most. Additionally, Clark's foundation has previously donated backpacks filled with school supplies to students in Des Moines, demonstrating a consistent dedication to supporting education.
Inspiring meaningful improvement in child literacy rates is crucial at a time when fewer children are engaging in regular reading. According to Scholastic’s latest report, the percentage of kids aged 6 to 17 who read five to seven days a week has declined over the past decade. Recognizing this trend, Clark’s efforts come as a much-needed boost. Judy Newman, Scholastic's chief impact officer, emphasized the importance of champion-level advocacy in addressing this issue. By partnering with Clark, Scholastic hopes to inspire more initiatives that promote literacy and empower young minds to dream big.