COLUMBIA, S.C. -- The University of South Carolina gave back to help encourage reading Tuesday morning.
School officials along with USC mascot Cocky celebrated a big donation to the school's statewide reading program. That gift was a 22 seat passenger bus. The vehicle was donated by oil giant BP and will be used to promote "Cocky's Reading Express" throughout schools and libraries across the Palmetto State.
Columbia Mayor Steve Benjamin was on hand along with School President Harris Pastides and children from the USC Children's Center.
Mayor Benjamin said it is a major initiative in advancing literacy at an early age for kids in the state.
"We're continuing to work to develop a 21st century workforce, a cultured and literate community. This type of partnership between all people across Columbia and between the University of South Carolina, Cocky's Reading Express, and the city of Columbia will help us get there."
The children also received free books and promised Cocky to read at home every day.
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