The California Highway Patrol (CHP) is hoping to create a love for reading with children throughout the state.

The CHP will fuel that love for literature with several thousand books collected during the seventh annual César E. Chávez Children’s Book Drive.

The campaign was co-sponsored by the CHP, the Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD), the Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) and the Business, Transportation and Housing Agency.

CHP Commissioner Joe Farrow was very pleased with the huge number of books that were dropped off at area offices statewide.

“Californians were incredibly generous in their book donations, and these books will really be appreciated by thousands of children,” said Commissioner Farrow.

More than 9,000 books were collected during the seventh annual César E. Chávez Children’s Book Drive that began on March 31 – Chávez’s Birthday – and concluded May 5.

"Education and housing are the foundation of strong families and vibrant communities," said Lynn L. Jacobs, Director of the California Department of Housing and Community Development. "These books will inspire the dreams of young people throughout the state, which in turn will help their communities thrive."

The César E. Chávez Children’s Book Drive began in 2001 with the idea to honor César Chávez for his humanitarian efforts and to commemorate the first César E. Chávez Day of Service and Learning.

HCD employees originally donated books to farm worker children for distribution to HCD’s Office of Migrant Service Centers throughout California.

The book drive has since expanded to include schools, shelters, and other charitable organizations. Since its inception, more than 60,000 books have been donated.

“Often the simplest of gestures can have the most powerful impact,” Commissioner Farrow said.

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