Sara Bareilles donates 5,000 books to Humboldt County literacy nonprofit

Sara Bareilles donates 5,000 books to Humboldt County literacy nonprofit
on Jul 13, 2021

Eureka’s own Grammy-winning celebrity, Sara Bareilles, donated 5,000 books to the Humboldt Literacy Project, the nonprofit announced on social media on Monday. Bareilles, who is currently starring in the comedy “Girls5eva,” was the keynote speaker at a recent Scholastic Art and Writing Awards event and was invited by the children’s books publisher to select a charity for the donation. “We are overwhelmed with gratitude,” Emma Breacain, the executive director of the Humboldt Literacy Project, said in a statement. “I don’t know if Ms. Bareilles realizes how far her gift will go. Of course, our tutors and learners will use these books in their studies, but we also have partnerships with many other local agencies.” The donation means about 150 boxes of books are headed this way for Humboldt County readers Breacain noted the loosening of pandemic restrictions means some of the nonprofit’s activities can restart. “Now that we’re coming out of various COVID restrictions, we’ll be able to have family book giveaways again soon, and to return to supplying books to local agencies that work with families and people trying to improve their skills and prospects,” Breacain said. According to the organization, an estimated 14,000 adults in Humboldt County are “functionally illiterate.” “Ms. Bareilles has a lot of themes of courage and resilience and pride woven into her work, and I think that perfectly echoes the courage and resilience our volunteers and clients show every day, and how proud we are of them,” Breacain said. Since 1981, the nonprofit has worked with local adults who want to improve their reading and writing skills. Source- Times Standard