ROCKFORD, Ill. (WREX) — Local leaders are investing in education, kicking off a community-wide book drive to ensure both teachers and families can get their hands on age-appropriate books in a cost-efficient way.

State Representatives, Dave Vella and Maurice West, are working alongside the United Way of Rock River Valley to bring it to life, now placing donation bins at their offices and in other popular community locations.

The drive started with a press conference Tuesday morning.

These books will be available for teachers to pick up and share with their students as they work to improve student literacy rates without educators having to invest their personal money.

"We just have a huge crisis in our community that only a third of our children are reading at grade level by the end of third grade, which makes them four times more likely to drop out of high school, which makes them five times more likely to become involved in illegal activities," Julie Bosman, the President and CEO of the organization said.

For West, his own family is what’s inspiring him to participate.

"I have a front row seat in watching her develop. We went from go go ga gas to now full sentences and I know for a fact it had everything to do with the fact that we make sure we read to her every night. Again, it’s an investment," West said.

The goal of this is also to provide books to families from all different backgrounds.

"I want every kid to have a house that’s got books on every table, underneath every bed, on every bed so that they can always pick something up because I think we’re coming out of a time when the screens are new and into a time where the screens are part of life and we’re starting to realize that maybe it’s a good idea to unplug our kids," Vella said.

The book drive will run through April 10, with drop off boxes in locations like the Ida Public Library and Maze Books.

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