AFT and Partners Distribute 30,000 Free Books at Asheville Literacy Fair

Literacy Initiative Brings 30,000 Free Books to North Carolina Families and Educators

ASHEVILLE, N.C.— In an effort to bolster literacy and support communities affected by past natural disasters, AFT President Randi Weingarten, alongside American Federation of Professional Educators of North Carolina President Joanna Loftis and Read to Succeed Asheville/Buncombe co-Executive Director Jessica McLean, participated in distributing over 30,000 free books and reading materials. The event was held at a family literacy fair, targeting children, families, and educators connected to Title I schools.

Weingarten highlighted the significance of the event, coinciding with the second anniversary of Hurricane Helene, which had a profound impact on Western North Carolina and the East Coast. “This community has come a long way in rebuilding, but it’s clear that recovery is still underway,” said Weingarten. She emphasized the crucial role public schools play in community recovery and children’s well-being, noting the importance of helping schools and families regain stability through initiatives like the free book distribution.

Over 1,000 families and 500 educators attended the "Reading Opens the World" literacy fair, where they could enhance their home and classroom libraries. Families were invited to choose up to 30 books for their children, while educators had the option to select 50 books for classroom use.

Loftis expressed the union's dedication to supporting public education, stating, “With the strength of the AFT behind us, working side by side with our community partners, we are doing everything in our power to champion opportunity and high-quality public education for all.” She underscored the importance of collaboration in the face of adversity.

The event was made possible through partnerships with local organizations such as Read to Succeed Asheville/Buncombe, North Carolina A. Philip Randolph Institute, and various community groups and businesses. McLean remarked on the collective efforts to restore normalcy and learning opportunities, viewing the fair as a celebration of community resilience and commitment to education.

In addition to distributing books, the event featured various activities, including performances by a school majorette and drum line, a Halloween costume swap, arts and crafts, and voter registration information. Erica Rawls, a parent, highlighted the value of such events in fostering a love for reading among children: “When you can expose children to new books, it’s an awesome thing. Today is good for families that want to gift books for the holidays too.”

The book distribution is a part of the AFT’s Reading Opens the World initiative, in collaboration with First Book. This national literacy campaign has provided over 11 million free books to students and families in need since its inception. The AFT has organized numerous events under this campaign to promote reading and learning.

AFPENC, a relatively new affiliate of the AFT established in March 2026, aims to be proactive in its support for educational communities, advocating for both employees and students. Meanwhile, Read to Succeed Asheville/Buncombe continues its mission to address racial disparities in education through comprehensive literacy programs. More information is available at r2sasheville.org.

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The AFT represents 1.8 million pre-K through 12th-grade teachers; paraprofessionals and other school-related personnel; higher education faculty and professional staff; federal, state and local government employees; nurses and healthcare workers; and early childhood educators.

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