“Thank you again for the books. I read them all and will read them again in the summer. It was the best thing that happened since school closed” –Parmalee Elementary School student
Thanks to everyone who supported our COVID book giveaways. Many of you provided funding while others helped sort books. Along with our partner The Book Foundation, we have distributed close to 80,000 books since April 4. Books provide a great refuge during these uncertain times. We serve children who rarely travel past the three-block radius of their homes. Sadly, the pandemic has shrunk their world further.
As one principal told us, “There are not enough words to thank you for the books that were donated and distributed to our students and families. All 800 sets of books were given out to our students during a time when the future of learning was uncertain. At the time of distribution, we had students without computers or the internet as well as many students who were unsure as to how to navigate the world of online learning. These books provided a familiar learning tool and gave our students a way to escape into another reality — one filled with adventure and familiarity, during a time of uncertainty and fear. Seeing their faces light up when they received their books has been a silver lining to this pandemic and I am forever grateful.”Before the end of the school year, author DJ MacHale participated in our first virtual book club. Christian, a student at Virginia Road Elementary said, “It was really neat how a famous person like DJ took time to talk to us and teach us about writing. I thought he was really cool. I want to be a writer like DJ someday.” We plan on hosting numerous virtual book clubs when schools start.