The members of the Family, Career & Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) are organizing a book drive with the Indy Book Project which will run until Dec. 20. According to FCCLA co-adviser Faith Dalton, the book drive is focused on providing literature to local residents.

“We’ve partnered with Indy Book Project, so our book drive will be through their organization,” Dalton said. “So we get all of the books, we bring it to them, and they distribute the books to people in need. This can include schools, families, children in hospitals. We just got our boxes and posters today, so those will start showing up in Family and Consumer Science Department classrooms very soon.”

Dalton said she hopes to make the book drive an annual fixture to support individuals in Indianapolis and its adjacent communities.

“My officers were thinking about what sort of community service project would be meaningful,” Dalton said. “We were considering supporting the families affected by the hurricane, but getting the books to those families would have been really difficult, so we decided to keep it local. If it goes well this year, we could do it again.”

 Laynie Wade, senior and FCCLA state officer, said advertising the book drive is one of her highest priorities. 

“We’re planning to have flyers around the FCS classrooms to promote the book drive,” Wade said. “There will also be an online version of the flyer. We’re also trying to film a quick promo video for social media too.”

In addition to the book drive, the members of the FCCLA are also planning celebrations for the end of the year. During the FCCLA’s next meeting on Dec. 5, Dalton said FCCLA members will enjoy a holiday party and begin working in earnest on their state projects.

“We’re going to have our holiday party, have some fun with everyone,” Dalton said. “Then, students are going to receive their projects or at least finalize which one they are going to do.”