ANN ARBOR, Mich., Nov. 13 /PRNewswire/ — Borders® and Waldenbooks® stores nationwide are conducting a company-wide, community-based holiday book drive that’s expected to benefit hundreds of thousands of needy children across the nation. The book drive begins tomorrow, Nov. 14, and will run through Dec. 24. Store staff will encourage customers to open their hearts and give the gift of new books to children within their communities who may not otherwise be able to call a book their own. Customers can also choose to donate Borders’ own "Beckett the Bear," a cuddly plush panda bear knowing that the books and the bears will go to a local non-profit organization, carefully chosen by each store.
Borders collected and delivered more than 600,000 books donated by generous customers during its August company-wide book drive. Recipient organizations included Reach Out and Read Michigan, Boys Town, the Ronald McDonald House and numerous other organizations.
"As avid readers we take for granted the access we have to books in our everyday lives, but the fact is many children don’t have books of their own," said Mike Edwards, executive vice president and chief merchandising officer for Borders Group. "We know that through our book drives, we are helping foster literacy, which is vitally important to families and to communities."
About Borders Group, Inc.
Headquartered in Ann Arbor, Mich., Borders Group, Inc. (NYSE: BGP) is a leading specialty retailer of books as well as other educational and entertainment items. The company employs approximately 25,000 throughout the U.S., primarily in its Borders® and Waldenbooks® stores. Online shopping is offered through borders.com. Find author interviews and vibrant discussions of the products we and our customers are passionate about online at facebook.com/borders, twitter.com/borders and youtube.com/bordersmedia. For more information about the company, visit borders.com/media.

Ann Arbor, MI