SACRAMENTO – Assemblymember Curren Price (D-Inglewood) and Chicago Bears linebacker Lance Briggs joined the Stephanie Starks HOPE Foundation’s (SSHF) Project Read for HOPE™, last Thursday, May 17th, to donate approximately 6,000 brand new books to young students in an effort to promote the love of reading among all children.

Price and Briggs conducted a read-aloud session and rally at David Reese and Florin Elementary schools in the Elk Grove Unified School District. During the rally, each student from grades K thru 5 received a new book and other give-a-ways, followed by a pizza party. Schools that received more than 4,000 books in a two-day period included: Anna Kirchgater, Isabelle Jackson, Samuel Kennedy, and Union Elementary schools.

Since its inception in 2004, the initiative has donated approximately 20,000 new children’s books, valued at $85,000, to children and schools in the greater Los Angeles area. This year alone, thanks to a partnership with First Books, the foundation will donate at least 20,000 brand new books, valued at $350,000, to school children in many cities nationwide.

“Books open new worlds and new possibilities for children. I am proud of the Stephanie Starks HOPE Foundation’s efforts to provide these wonders for our youth, and for all of the work that they do on a nationwide basis.” said Assemblymember Price.

The Stephanie Starks HOPE Foundation was formed in loving memory of Stephanie Starks who passed at the age of 14 years old from a misdiagnosis of Bacteria Meningitis. The Foundation became a Public Benefit 501 (c) 3 in 2004, and is committed to raising awareness and funds for critical social issues in order to make a positive impact both within the local communities and throughout the nation.