-
The Celebration Foundation kicked off Literacy Week on Monday with its first-ever virtual book drive.
The Celebration community received a lot of love at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, especially through Operation Uplift — a cause in which residents purchased yard signs with big red hearts to show their support and admiration for essential workers.
The organization is now sharing that same love with local students.
Last year, the Osceola County School District shared nearly 38,000 books were not returned after the 2019-20 school year due to schools closing and the switch to virtual learning. Thousands of these missing books belong to Celebration K-8 School, and this loss has left students with a great need as they are lacking the materials they require to succeed.
With both face-to-face and distance learning happening this 2020-21 school year, the need for both print and digital books has increased tremendously. The Foundation kicked off Literacy Week on Monday with its first-ever virtual book drive.
Participants can purchase books by making a monetary donation on the Celebration Foundation’s website. Books cost an average of $20 each.
Celebration K-8 School Librarian Katie McDonald is new to the school’s library; but as a second-generation librarian, her excitement for the virtual book drive is soaring. McDonald has a list of books she hopes to purchase for her students through this fundraiser.
“No one has more passion to get books on the shelves than Ms. McDonald,” said Holly Terry, Celebration K-8 teacher and Celebration Foundation Executive board member. “She believes in a resourceful library, but most importantly she believes in our students. She has already made some incredible changes to our library that make students want to visit every morning, such as a new young reader area and technology corner.”
The Celebration Foundation has a goal to raise $10,000. The organization will then match the donation, resulting in a total of $20,000 to purchase books and other necessary items for the library.
While the students of Celebration K-8 School are all living different lives throughout this pandemic, there is one common denominator: reading. All students deserve the opportunity to connect with one another through literature.
“The Celebration Foundation learned of the need at the K-8 library and immediately committed resources that would match the community giving,” said Celebration Foundation Executive Board President Mike Jackson. “Having an environment in the library that is welcoming and adequately stocked with reading materials is essential to learning. Let’s all make a difference in the lives of these young students!”
For more information or to make a donation, visit CelebrationFoudation.org.
