As part of the Department of Tourism’s continued community outreach, it will host the Caribbean Children’s Book Drive at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 2, at the West Indian Company Dock adjacent to the John McCleverty Welcome Center. The book drive will be hosted in collaboration with the San Francisco-based travel agency Blue World Travel, which has chartered the Carnival Liberty for the annual festival at sea week-long cruise. For the past 20 years, Blue World Travel has organized Caribbean cruise charters for African-American travelers featuring African-American musicians, comedians and other celebrities. Because of their commitment to literacy, and in appreciation for being hosted by various Caribbean countries, Blue World Travel also organizes book drives in Caribbean destinations, asking each cruise passenger to donate a book to the cause. This year St. Thomas was selected as the recipient of approximately 1000 new children’s books.
“On behalf of the people of the U.S. Virgin Islands, we appreciate the generosity of our cruise guests who brought along a book on their vacation to share with our young people,” said Tourism Commissioner Beverly Nicholson-Doty. “I would also like to commend Blue World Travel for promoting “voluntourism” by selecting the U.S. Virgin Islands while encouraging their clients to support this important cause.”
The presentation of the books will be made by Los Angeles Unified School District Administrator Peggy Taylor Presley to several local charities. Celebrity guest and Food Network star Aaron McCargo Jr. of Big Daddy’s House will also be in attendance to present his cookbooks.
