LaGRANGE — Troup High School Student Council has been working on community service projects to increase literacy in Troup County by promoting reading at an early age.

For the past two years, student volunteers worked at the Leggin’ It for Literacy 5K and walk to support the Troup County Certified Literate Community Program, or CLCP.

“Research shows that children who are exposed to books and reading at a young age develop stronger communication and critical thinking skills,” said Amber McWhorter, THS Student Council advisor.

Over the past few weeks, the student council joined with the FCCLA — Family Career Community Leaders of America — and advisor Connie Aplin to collect new and gently used books for children ages newborn to young adult. The students and faculty of Troup High were able to collect more than 1,100 books for the cause.

All books donated were given to the Troup County CLCP.

The students hope to build a stock of books to assist with the Little Free Libraries and to build literacy friendly neighborhoods. More information on Little Free Libraries may be found at littlefreelibrary.org.

THS Student Council will work in the future to build more little free libraries in the local community. There are currently three libraries located in town, but council members would like to see more opportunities to spread the love of reading.