BOSTON – Global learning company Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (HMH) reinforced its commitment to fostering passionate, curious learning in 2013 by donating more than 2.5 million books worldwide to communities in need. HMH’s donations included award-winning educational content and literature for readers of all ages, valued at over $30 million globally.
In addition to direct donations, HMH partners with intermediaries like World Vision and First Book to donate resources to eligible beneficiaries worldwide. The book donation program is just one part of a dedicated corporate citizenship effort at HMH, which includes strategic community partnerships, an annual volunteer week, employee gift-matching and Community Investment Councils — local employee committees charged with creating opportunities for colleagues to have a positive impact on the community.
“At HMH, we are passionate about extending access to ideas, celebrating curiosity and helping our communities thrive,” said Mary Cullinane, Chief Content Officer and Executive Vice President of Corporate Affairs. “Access to developmentally appropriate and dynamic reading content is critical in order to close literacy gaps and provide all students and families with the resources they need for future success. We are proud to partner with organizations that share our values so that together we can remove barriers to learning.”
At the Cradles to Crayons headquarters in Boston, over 40,000 HMH books were packed into the organization’s KidPacks for children up to 12 years old. Filled with clothing, school supplies and more, the packages provide kids with important life basics that they need to be safe, protected from the elements and ready to learn.
“We can’t ignore the sad fact that children from low-income families will start the first grade up to two years behind their peers from moderate- to upper-income households," said Sharon Reilly, Executive Director, Cradles to Crayons, Boston. “With so many families living in poverty and balancing the need to provide shelter, warm clothing and food, there is simply no money left to purchase books. HMH’s donation fulfills a significant need, particularly amongst infants and 9-12 year olds.”
Also in Boston, HMH collaborated with several local organizations to donate 90,000 books, valued at over $1 million, including the Boston Children’s Hospital, the Department of Children and Families and the Boston Public Library. The Company also launched a unique partnership with the Boston Celtics that includes support for the team’s popular Read to Achieve program with special events for city students in partnership with ReadBoston, the mayor’s comprehensive early literacy initiative.
About Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (NASDAQ:HMHC) is a global learning company with the mission of changing people’s lives by fostering passionate, curious learners. Among the world’s largest providers of pre-K–12 education solutions and one of its longest-established publishing houses, HMH combines cutting-edge research, editorial excellence and technological innovation to improve teaching and learning environments and solve complex literacy and education challenges. HMH’s interactive, results-driven education solutions are utilized by 50 million students in over 150 countries, and its renowned and awarded novels, non-fiction, children's books and reference works are enjoyed by readers throughout the world. For more information, visit www.hmhco.com.
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