University News

WIU Phi Kappa Phi Chapter Wins Book Drive Competition

June 20, 2017

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MACOMB, IL – The Western Illinois University chapter of the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi was one of four chapters to win this year's national book drive competition.

Through the competition, sponsored by the national chapter of Phi Kappa Phi, the WIU chapter collected 1,120 books. The collection was donated to Macomb area schools and daycare centers.

"We are very pleased to be among the winners of the 2017 Phi Kappa Phi Book Drive," said Chapter President Michael A. Romano, a WIU professor of biological sciences. "This type of community service is vital for engaging young minds in reading, and I could not be more proud of the efforts of our student vice presidents in this achievement."

As a winning chapter, WIU will receive a Little Free Library to place at a location of its choice. Little Free Library is a freestanding box where anyone can donate and borrow books in an effort to promote literacy throughout communities.

The book drive competition, held from Feb. 1-April 30, saw participation from 22 Phi Kappa Phi chapters across the nation, with a total of more than 7,000 donated books and $1,200 in monetary donations. Established in 2014, Phi Kappa Phi created the event as a way to promote literacy in the communities and campuses served by its chapters.

Phi Kappa Phi's annual book drive competition has donated more than 35,000 books to organizations both locally and abroad since its creation. Organizations that have received donated books as part of the competition include schools, libraries, hospitals, correctional centers, tutoring and mentoring programs, shelters and more.

To learn more about the WIU Phi Kappa Phi chapter, visit wiu.edu/PhiKappaPhi/.

Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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