On February 4th, New York Jets offensive lineman and University of Virginia alumnus D'Brickashaw Ferguson contacted United Way of Central Virginia (UWCV) to see if they would be interested in receiving a generous donation of 10,000 copies of his children's book, "Brick's Way, Go Green!"

With the science fair just days away, the only person that can help a group of kids with their project is local football hero D'Brickashaw Ferguson. Transformed into "Little Brick," his mission is to help teach his new friends about "going green." Brick tackles the challenge, but will he get back to his football team in time for the big game?

UWCV happily accepted the donation offer and on February 25th the STEM-related books were delivered to UWCV's partner agency's warehouse, Lynchburg Sheltered Industries, where they will be temporarily housed until distribution days and channels can be determined. The book is leveled for third graders.  

Mr. Ferguson has followed UWCV's activities after visiting two years ago and reading to Central Virginia children as part of a partnership between the NFL and United Way Worldwide. "We had an opportunity to give some books away [and] we had such a great experience with Virginia that we sought out the United Way again," Ferguson said.

 Pictured: Marie Martin - Executive Director, UWCV, and

Dawn Wise - Director of Community Engagement & PR, UWCV

The United Way of Central Virginia's Education Readiness Initiative has a goal of getting 90% of third graders reading at grade level by 2025, and the book helps support this goal. The first priority for distribution will be making sure all Central Virginia third graders receive copies.  

UWCV has contacted area school superintendents to offer the book, and has made arrangements for donations to all third grade students in the Appomattox County and Lynchburg City Public School divisions, as well as providing a copy to Campbell County Public Schools for review.

With about 2,600 area third graders, this year's and next year's third graders will take about half the books, and the UWCV hopes to distribute the rest to the Parks and Recreation Department in the surrounding areas, local libraries, as well as homeschooling groups and other interested parties. Anyone interested in receiving free copies should contact Dawn Wise, Director of Community Engagement and Public Relations at 455-6900 or dawn.wise@unitedwaycv.org.