Enbridge Supports Chatham County Young Readers with $2,500 Gift to Books on Break

The Chatham Education Foundation (CEF) received a $2,500 gift from Enbridge Gas to support Books on Break, a program that provides free books to students at Chatham County Schools’ Title I and rural elementary schools.

Books on Break gives students the opportunity to choose four to five brand-new books to take home and keep, helping them build home libraries and stay engaged with reading over the summer months.

This spring marked the program’s largest year yet. Books on Break reached 2,485 students and distributed 10,832 brand-new books, expanding to eight Chatham County schools as well as three NC Pre-K sites. Bennett School participated for the first time, further extending the program’s reach to young readers across the county.

“The Chatham Education Foundation helps students unlock the power of reading and the lifelong opportunities it brings,” said Persida Montanez of Enbridge Gas. “We’re proud to support Books on Break and make sure students have new books to explore and enjoy over the summer.”

Books on Break is one way CEF works to increase access to books and support the goal of every child reading at grade level by third grade. This year’s expansion to NC Pre-K sites allowed CEF to reach children even earlier, helping young readers build strong literacy foundations and a love of books from the start.

“Support from businesses like Enbridge allows us to reach more students and put more books within their reach,” said Brittany Sandefur, CEF’s executive director. “We are incredibly grateful when businesses step up and invest in our students. Their support helps us make sure children across Chatham County have access to books they are excited to read, not just during the school year, but all summer long.”

The program relies on support from businesses, organizations, individual donors, and volunteers to purchase books and bring the free book fairs to schools each spring.

Click here to learn more about Books on Break.