On Saturday, January 18, WUCF welcomed families from across Central Florida to the 2025 WUCF PBS KIDS Community Book Bash, an event that celebrated the power of reading, connection and community. With over 700 individuals registered, this free gathering at Orlando Family Stage became one of WUCF's largest indoor community events ever.
The day also marked WUCF’s record-setting preschool book drive held in November in partnership with VyStar Credit Union. Over 5,000 books were collected and are now in the hands of children in Central Florida Head Start programs—part of WUCF’s mission to change lives by fostering a lifelong love of learning.
Bringing Families Together for a Day of Learning
Throughout the day, families explored Orlando Family Stage, where activities and learning experiences filled every corner. From hands-on crafts to sensory-friendly play areas, the event offered something for everyone. A favorite moment for many was meeting Clifford the Big Red Dog, who was happy to pose for countless photos with his adoring fans.
One of the event’s highlights was a lively interactive story time by Orlando Family Stage of the much-loved book “Dragons Love Tacos.” Young readers were delighted to see the story brought to life. Local authors also connected with families, sharing their stories and inspiring kids to open more books and spark their imaginations.
The Power of Community in Action
Thanks to the generosity of the Central Florida community, the success of November’s book drive means thousands of preschoolers across nine counties are starting the year with new books, bringing the joy of reading into the hands of children who need it most.
“The Book Bash is proof of what happens when we work together for something bigger than ourselves,” said Jennifer Cook, WUCF’s Executive Director. “These books, this event—it’s about sparking connection and reminding every child that they are seen, valued and capable of incredible things.”
“Supporting early knowledge isn’t just about books; it’s about investing in our future,” said Dawn Ofodile, Assistant VP of Regional Community Engagement with VyStar Credit Union. “Together with WUCF, we’re ensuring that children across our community have the tools they need to dream boldly and achieve great things.”
Kicking Off WUCF’s ‘Be Kind’ Campaign
The Book Bash was more than a celebration of literacy. It also marked the launch of WUCF’s “Be Kind” Campaign, which aims to inspire acts of kindness across Central Florida through special events, activities and programming this year.
As the event ended, families left with books in hand and a shared sense of community. The gathering reflected WUCF’s mission to connect people, reach every corner of Central Florida and ensure learning and kindness are at the heart of everything it does.
For more information about WUCF’s upcoming events and the “Be Kind” Campaign, visit wucf.org.
