Bess The Book Bus And CITGO Promote Literacy In Weston

National Mobile Literacy Program Provides Free Books to Children in the Community

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Jun 09, 2014, 10:00 ET

WESTON, Wis., June 9, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of its national tour, mobile literacy program Bess the Book Bus stopped at the Callon Quik Mart CITGO station on May 10, delivering free books and helping promote childhood literacy by reading aloud to pre-K and kindergarten students in Weston. More than 1,000 free books were given to the children who participated in the event.

Mobile literacy program Bess the Book Bus stopped at the Callon Quik Mart CITGO station on May 10, delivering free books and helping promote childhood literacy by reading aloud to pre-K and kindergarten students in Weston. (PRNewsFoto/CITGO)

"We are so thankful to Jennifer Frances and the volunteers who helped make the event possible," said Carrie Sickler, co-owner of the Callon Quik Mart. "We were amazed by the number of books Bess had to offer. The children and parents were so appreciative of the books and eager to hear the story of how Bess the Book Bus began. We had a wonderful time hosting Bess and we hope to host Jennifer and her team again in the future."

The stop in Weston was the first of a two-week tour across the Midwest for Bess the Book Bus. Frances and her network of volunteers traveled from Wisconsin through Illinois and Indiana and finished this leg of their tour with a trip to Detroit on May 23, providing more than 10,000 books to children along the way.

"We are so grateful to CITGO and the representatives at Callon Quik Mart who helped us organize this wonderful event," said Jennifer Frances, founder of Bess the Book Bus. "The kids were overjoyed by the books and we are always thrilled to see how excited they are during these visits. We love encouraging their interest in reading and are honored to be welcomed into these communities each year. We are so proud to make an impact in the lives of these, and all of the children we have met this year."

Founded in 2002, Bess the Book Bus' mission is to promote literacy and provide underserved children with access to new and engaging books. Frances has grown the program into one of the nation's most innovative mobile literacy initiatives. Each year, she and her network of volunteers take Bess the Book Bus directly to underserved communities to read to children and provide what, for many youngsters, is their first new book. Through support from CITGO and other corporate sponsors, Bess the Book Bus has covered more than 48 states, supported more than 60,000 families and donated more than 450,000 books.

For stories from Bess the Book Bus' 2014 tour, including a travel diary and photos from events across the country, visit http://bessthebookbus.org/. To learn how CITGO and local organizations like Bess the Book Bus are making a difference in communities throughout the United States, visit www.FuelingGood.com. To join the conversation, "Like" CITGO Fueling Good on Facebook, "Follow" on Twitter and Instagram, and view videos of past winners at http://www.youtube.com/CITGOFuelingGood/.

About CITGO Petroleum
Based in Houston, CITGO is a refiner, transporter and marketer of transportation fuels, lubricants, petrochemicals and other industrial products. The company is owned by PDV America, Inc., an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Petróleos de Venezuela, S.A., the national oil company of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. For more information, visit www.CITGO.com.

About Bess the Book Bus
Bess the Book Bus is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization committed to extending literacy across the country. Run by Jennifer Frances of Tampa, Fla., the organization visits local communities across the country in a specially designed "book bus," coordinating reading events and providing children with a free, new book for them to keep. For more information, visit www.bessthebookbus.org.

Photo- http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140606/95427

SOURCE CITGO