ORLANDO, Jan. 13, 2025 — WUCF invites families to join the2025 WUCF PBS KIDS Community Book Bash on Saturday, Jan. 18, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Orlando Family Stage, 1001 E. Princeton St.
This free, family friendly event presented with VyStar Credit Union is a celebration of literacy and community, marking the success of WUCF's November preschool book drive, which exceeded its goal of collecting more than 5,000 books for Central Florida’s youngest readers in Head Start programs.
Families will enjoy interactive story times with local authors, arts and crafts, sensory-friendly spaces and a chance to meet Clifford the Big Red Dog, the beloved PBS KIDS character.
"We are thrilled to host the 2025 Community Book Bash as part of WUCF's ongoing mission to inspire a love of reading and learning," said Jennifer Cook, WUCF Executive Director. "This event celebrates the power of literacy and our community's commitment to supporting early childhood education. Together, we're building a foundation for a brighter future for our youngest learners."
The event also kicks off WUCF's yearlong Kindness Campaign, encouraging people to spread kindness in their daily lives. Throughout the year, WUCF will offer opportunities to celebrate and foster kindness across Central Florida through special events, activities and programming.
For more information and to RSVP, visit https://www.wucf.org/bookbash.
Media Coverage Opportunities:
Media are invited to attend the event anytime from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Jan. 18. Opportunities worth noting are:
- Interviews with WUCF Executive Director Jennifer Cook and local authors can be arranged during the event. Local authors include Khadijah Burroughs, Daralene Jones, Amy Kimlat and Ilene Lieber.
- At 1:30 p.m., WUCF leaders alongside book drive co-sponsor VyStar Credit Union will announce the results of the book drive, as well as officially kick off WUCF's Kindness Campaign.
- Several independent bookstores that participated as book drop-off sites during the preschool book drive will be at the event with children’s books.
About WUCF: WUCF TV is the sole-service PBS member station for the nearly 4 million Central Floridians across nine counties. WUCF is Central Florida's storyteller, encouraging curiosity and learning through compelling content and community engagement. WUCF produces award-winning local content like Florida Road Trip, which explores Florida through history, people and culture.
WUCF also serves Florida's youngest citizens, offering hours of PBS KIDS content on-air, online and in the classroom, leading the state in usage for PBS LearningMedia. Throughout its 10-year history, WUCF has engaged with over 1.5 million people across Central Florida at in-person events and over 30 million people online through virtual events and streaming content. The station is community-supported public broadcasting from the University of Central Florida. Learn more at http://wucf.org/.
Media Contact on Behalf of WUCF:
Christine Dellert Mullon
407.718.0199