Austin Community College’s Silver Star Children’s Literacy Project and ACC District police have collected nearly 2,500 books for the Travis County Sherriff’s Office Brown Santa program. Students will present the books to Sheriff Greg Hamilton at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 10, at ACC’s Rio Grande Campus (foyer of Building 3000, 1218 West Ave.).

“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 showing children the importance of reading and the power of knowledge. I am grateful for the generosity of ACC students and police, and we look forward to putting these books in the hands of Central Texas children.”

Students with ACC’s Center for Student Political Studies (CSPS) created the Silver Star Children’s Literacy Project in 2010. This is the second year the ACC Police Department has joined forces with Silver Star for the book drive. Since its inception, Silver Star has collected more than 5,000 books for Brown Santa.

“This is what ACC students do – we give back because we know what it means,” says Stacey Moreno, president of Silver Star. Melissa Manriquez, chair of the Silver Star Committee for Phi Theta Kappa, added, “You learn to believe in yourself when other people believe in you. Giving these books shows kids that we believe in them.”

Silver Star will collect additional new or gently used books during the presentation and distribute them to children in the months to come.

“College students understand the power of literacy to transform young lives, and our student leaders and police department know firsthand the value of service,” says Professor David Lauderback, Silver Star faculty advisor.