Westport Country Playhouse Hosts Book Collection for Read to Grow Inc., 1/16

In conjunction with its Family Festivities Series, Westport Country Playhouse is hosting a book collection for Read to Grow, Inc. Beginning with the 2011 season's first Family Festivities show, "The Commedia Princess and the Pea," on Sunday, January 16, 1 and 4 p.m., The Playhouse will collect gently used and new children's books which will be given to families and programs in the greater Fairfield County area through the Read to Grow organization. Bins will be located in The Playhouse lobby for book donations.

Book collections for Read to Grow will continue with upcoming Family Festivities programs: "The Very Hungry Caterpillar and Other Eric Carle Favourites," Sunday, February 13, 1 and 4 p.m.; "A Jigsaw Jones Mystery - The Case of the Class Clown," Sunday, March 6, 1 and 4 p.m.; and "Click, Clack, Moo," Sunday, March 27, 1 and 4 p.m.

Read to Grow is a statewide nonprofit organization that helps build literacy from birth by preparing parents to take an active role in their children's literacy development from day one, and by providing free children's books to families with limited access and to community resources that serve them. www.readtogrow.org

For more information on the book collection, contact Jenn Bond Huisking, Playhouse community relations liaison, at 203-227-5137, x 120. Ms. Bond Huisking is a member of the Young Leaders of United Way of Coastal Fairfield County. She and many other members have been sponsoring book drives over the past year in response to the need of books in children's homes and for early childhood programs in less advantaged areas.

Tickets for Family Festivities presentations are $15. For more information or tickets, call the box office at (203) 227-4177, or toll-free at 1-888-927-7529, or visit Westport Country Playhouse, 25 Powers Court, off Route 1, Westport. Tickets are available 24/7 at www.westportplayhouse.org. Stay connected to The Playhouse on Facebook (Westport Country Playhouse) and/or follow on Twitter (@WCPlayhouse).