6000 English, Spanish Books Donated From SJ Library Toy Drive

SAN JOSE, CA -- The San Jose public library system donated over 6,000 English and Spanish books Tuesday for an annual toy drive this week, amounting to the charity's largest single donation this year.

Sacred Heart Community Service this year has a goal of collecting 18,600 toys for 6,200 children. With the library's donation, the charity will be able to include two toys, a stocking stuffer and a new book in each gift.

"We know that children who use libraries and own books in the home are more likely to achieve literacy and have greater success in school," Jill Bourne, director of city libraries said in a news release. "We want every child to experience these gifts during the holiday season and throughout the year."

Today was also the last day of Sacred Heart's holiday food distribution to give community members 50 pound-boxes of food with a turkey, ham or chicken. Through both Thanksgiving and the Christmas seasons, the charity said it served 7,400 families.

Sacred Heart is still working toward its gift goal and residents interested in making a donation can drop off most-needed items, like gifts for teens, Legos and action figures, at 1381 S. First St. in San Jose.

--Bay City News/Image via Shutterstock