Harris County Department of Education Compton Head Start students, located in the Northeast Multi-Service Center, will benefit from a free book vending machine throughout the month of December as part of JetBlue’s Soar with Reading Initiative.

JetBlue, along with the Houston Mayor’s Office, the City of Houston Health Department and the Houston Public Library, unveiled the book vending machine at an event on Nov. 28, 2017. During the event, JetBlue volunteers also visited each Head Start classroom and read to students to get them excited about reading.

Seven total branches of the Houston Public Library system remain shut down from the effects of Hurricane Harvey, leaving hundreds of children without access to their local libraries and the services they offer. The book vending machine will dispense 25,000 brand-new, free books for kids ages 0-14 in the community throughout the month of December.

“Excitement for literacy begins at an early age,” said HCDE Head Start Senior Director Venetia Peacock. “We’re thankful to JetBlue and our other community partners for giving our youngest learners access to books.”

JetBlue’s Soar with Reading initiative encourages kids’ imaginations to take flight through reading. The event held on Nov. 28 concluded the second annual JetBlue For Good Month, a month-long celebration of kindness and good deeds. For more information, visit https://www.jetblue.com/corporate-social-responsibility/youth-education/.

HCDE operates 15 Head Start centers in northeast Houston. For information about enrollment or employment in Head Start, visit www.hcde-texas.org/HeadStart or call 713-672-9343.