In honor of the 100th anniversary of Dr. Seuss’ birthday yesterday, Ohio State students are participating in a weeklong “Seussentennial” Celebration.

Project Community coordinated the event, including a book drive and Read Across America Day 2004.

Throughout the week, children’s books are being donated to the Columbus school district, where they will be distributed to several public schools within in the city based on need. Friday, OSU student volunteers will read to students in seven different Columbus public elementary schools.

The organization decided to revitalize the annual program early winter quarter after it was dormant for about four years, said Jen Bossard, coordinator of community service and leadership at the Ohio Union. This is the first year it has been dedicated to the master of rhymes and riddles.

“In the past, the book drive and Read Across America Day was held during early part of March, but this year (Project Community) wanted to do something different,” Bossard said. “This is the first year we have done it for Dr. Seuss’ birthday.”

Seuss – born Theodore “Ted” Seuss Geisel in Massachusetts – entertained young people across the world with his famous stories for more than 60 years, making the name “Dr. Seuss” a household name. Thirty books are considered classics of Seuss’, including “Green Eggs and Ham,” “The Cat in the Hat Songbook,” “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” and “The Sneetches and Other Stories.”

At the time of his death on Sept. 24, 1991, Seuss had sold 200 million copies of his books, translated in 15 different languages. Sales have increased by 22 million since 1991.

In remembrance of Seuss’ legacy, Bossard said Project Community will recruit 65 OSU students to participate. Individuals can volunteer to read or become a site leader, whose duties involve serving as a director and point of contact for volunteers.

Buses and vans, provided by Project Community, will arrive at the Ohio Union at noon, after the conclusion of the opening program. They will transport volunteers to the elementary schools, where they will stay from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. and are scheduled to return to campus between 3 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.

Students can volunteer by filling out the registration form provided at www.ohiounion.com, by contacting Amber Zuber at [email protected] or by going to the Student Activities Office in the Ohio Union.