The initiative, titled “Book Drives for Better Lives”, is part of an ongoing campus- and community-wide book collection program intended to help needy non-profit programs and organizations through literacy.

Since establishing the collection drive program in June 2006, the three
student organizations have received over 40,000 in donated books from
Owens employees and students, as well as the surrounding communities.
Most recently, the three student groups have collected over 4,000 books,
which will eventually end up in the hands of underprivileged individuals
throughout the world. 

Beginning at 12 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 16, the three student organizations will pick up the various collection bins located around the Toledo-area Campus and prepare the donated books for shipment to Better World Books, which is a national organization dedicated to fighting global illiteracy through the dissemination books and funds to
needy non-profit organizations. Literacy non-profit groups in which Better World Books, located in Mishawaka, Ind., serves include Books for Africa (Africa), the National Center for Family Literacy (United States), Room to Read (South Asia) and Worldfund (Latin America), among others.

To date, Better World Books has received more than 28 million book
donations from over 1,800 colleges and universities participating in the
worldwide program. The international organization has also assisted in
raising more than $3.9 million for approximately 80 literacy and
education non-profit groups.

Owens has set up a variety of collection points around the Toledo-area
and Findlay-area campuses. Area residents can drop off their charitable
book donations on the Toledo-area Campus at the Student Health and
Activities Center, the Industrial and Engineering Technologies Building,
the Fire Science and Law Enforcement Center, College Hall, the
Audio/Visual Classroom Center, the Center for Fine and Performing Arts,
the Center for Development and Training, and Health Technologies Hall.
On the Findlay-area Campus, collection points are in the College’s
Commons area.   

The Owens Environmental Club is comprised of students who are dedicated
to addressing a multitude of environmental issues on the Toledo-area and
Findlay-area campuses. The student organization has successfully
implemented numerous recycling programs, while bringing more awareness
to environmental concerns. Within the community, the Owens Environmental
Club regularly helps in community clean-ups and preserve restorations,
participates in charity events, and supports various environmental
causes with a yearly Human-I-Tees fundraiser.

The overall mission of Phi Theta Kappa is to recognize academic
excellence among two-year college students, provide opportunities for
leadership training and an intellectual climate for the exchange of
ideas and ideals. In addition, the society continues to promote among
its members the four standard hallmarks: scholarship, leadership,
service and fellowship. Owens’ chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa
International Honor Society is one of the largest honor societies in
Ohio.

The College’s Student Government is comprised of individuals who serve as the student body’s voice on the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses. Balancing their time between school and work, Student Government members are constantly initiating new projects and events that cater to the interests of Owens’ student body.

For more information about the book collection drive, or to donate, call (567) 661-7583 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 7583.