The Zanesville-Muskingum County Health Department and United Way are teaming up for a book drive all month long to benefit families involved in the ZMC Health Department’s Early Childhood Programs.

The groups are asking for new or gently-used board or sensory book donations during the month of June.

The goal is to collect enough books to give one to each of the 2,000 families enrolled in the WIC and Help Me Grow Programs in Muskingum County, according to Becky Clawson, Community Impact Director of the United Way of Muskingum, Perry, and Morgan Counties.

Clawson said the families receiving the donations oftentimes don’t have access to books, which can put children behind in basic literacy skills.

The target demographic for donations are children from 0-5 years-old.

Books can be dropped off at several locations throughout the county, which include:

–Help Me Grow and WIC (333 Putnam Ave.)

-Any branch of the Muskingum County Library System

-Walls of Books  (1212 Brandywine Blvd.)

-United Way of Muskingum, Perry and Morgan Counties (526 Putnam Ave.)

-Woodforest Bank, located inside both the North and South Zanesville Walmart locations

-Zanesville-Muskingum County Health Department (205 N. 7th Street, 333 Putnam Ave.)

Anyone who has questions about the book drive can contact the United Way or see their post on Facebook.