Students participating in Austin Community College’s Silver Star Children’s Literacy Project will present thousands of books to Travis County Sheriff Greg Hamilton for his Brown Santa program.

“I believe each of us is responsible for helping our youth begin to read at an early age,” says Sheriff Hamilton. “Those taking part in the Silver Star Children’s Literacy Project are doing their part by getting books in the hands of kids whose families are struggling during this economical crunch, and for that, I salute them.”

Students with ACC’s Center for Student Political Studies created the Silver Star Children’s Literacy Project. Organizers collected books along with financial donations at all ACC campuses, various college events, and an Austin Select Baseball benefit tournament. Books Beyond Borders also contributed to the drive.

In all, the college will donate some 2,500 books to Brown Santa.

“There is no greater gift for a child than a book,” says Samantha Davis, president-elect of the Center for Student Political Studies. “When I was a child, books allowed me to go anywhere and be anyone. All kids should have that same opportunity.”

Sheriff Hamilton will accept the donations 10 a.m. Monday, December 13, at ACC’s Rio Grande Campus, outside Building 3000 (located at West Ave. & 13 ½ St.).

“This is the first year of what we hope will be an annual collaborative effort to provide books to needy children,” says Peck Young, who oversees the Center for Student Political Studies. “I can think of no more appropriate way for ACC students, faculty and staff to participate in Brown Santa than to encourage literacy by giving books as gifts.”