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Orlando – Volunteer Florida and the Florida Chamber Foundation announced today that over 400 books were collected at the Florida Chamber Foundation’s Future of Florida Forum and Board of Governors Annual Meeting as part of the #BringABook project, the first-ever service initiative in conjunction with the Future of Florida Forum. #BringABook engaged business leaders and elected officials in service by requesting that they bring new or gently-used books with them to the Forum to donate to students in need.

“Volunteer Florida is grateful to the Florida Chamber Foundation for co-hosting the #BringABook project with us, and we’re thrilled that our state’s business community, thought leaders, and public servants helped to make it such as success,” said Chester Spellman, Volunteer Florida CEO.  “Donating books to at-risk students so that families can build their own libraries at home is one of the most fundamental things we can do to support education and secure Florida’s future.”

City Year Orlando, which deploys over 60 highly skilled AmeriCorps members to serve in seven Orlando schools, will distribute the books to Catalina Elementary School students, who will get to take a book home to begin building their very own library.

“Florida’s business leaders and policymakers clearly recognize the importance of encouraging students to read at home,” said Tony Carvajal, Executive Vice President of the Florida Chamber Foundation. “The #BringABook initiative is one of many ways that the business community is investing in talent and the future of Florida.”

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The Future of Florida Forum brings together state business leaders, industry experts and elected officials to discuss and explore how to secure Florida’s future. This annual event provides an opportunity for participants to identify connection points and build partnerships that will make Florida the state with vibrant communities, high-wage jobs and expanded opportunities for global competitiveness.  For more information on the Future of Florida Forum, visit http://www.flchamber.com/event/2015-future-of-florida-forum/.