Hillsborough Co., FL-- The Hillsborough Education Foundation traveled to schools and educational sites around the county today to surprise 17 top-notch educators as finalists for this year’s Ida S. Baker Diversity Educator of the Year, Instructional Support Employee of the Year, and Teacher of the Year awards.

The 17 finalists, selected by their peers, represent the “best of the best” from Hillsborough County Public Schools.

A winner in each category will be named at the 2013 Excellence in Education Awards, presented by the Suncoast Schools Federal Credit Union Foundation.

Tampa Bay, Florida -- United Way Suncoast is looking for volunteers to help a statewide initiative to help young children learn to read at grade level. 

ReadingPals is a program focused on increasing the number of students who are reading at grade level by the end of third grade.

Tampa, Florida -- Grimaldi's Pizzeria, famous for its award-winning, hand-tossed, coal-fired brick oven pizzas and calzones, is helping the cause for children's literacy with their "Books for Kids" holiday book drive.  

Until Dec 21, guests are encouraged to drop off new or "gently loved" children's books at Grimaldi's Pizza two Tampa Bay locations: 7990 Citrus Park Town Center in Tampa or at Countryside Mall in Clearwater.