by Becky Eisinger Roosevelt Elementary Community School Director
As Dr. Seuss once said, “The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” Jeanne Pence, Roosevelt’s Read Today coordinator, is committed to helping struggling students learn how to read and develop a life-long love of learning. She coordinates over 100 community volunteers that dedicate their time each week to helping a student improve their reading skills. Mrs. Pence has an incredible talent for getting students and adults alike excited about reading and learning!
When Mrs. Pence learned that many of the students in the Read Today program at Roosevelt live miles away from a library she was shocked and decided to do something about it. Thus, the Roosevelt AmeriCorps Lending Library was born.
This library is stocked with hundreds of books, all donated by the Read Today volunteers and members of the community. Students are so excited to have another opportunity to “check-out” books that they are constantly asking Mrs. Pence if they can come to the library during their recess or lunchtime!
Roosevelt’s AmeriCorps Lending Library has partnered with Smith’s Grocery Store #475 in Millcreek. Mike Lambros, Kyle Ludeke, and Brandy Robertson from Smith’s generously allowed Roosevelt to put a donation box in their store. Customers have filled up that box countless times. Recently, Mr. Lambros, Mr. Ludeke, and Ms. Robertson brought a donation of hundreds of books to Roosevelt.
Dallin Varner, a Boy Scout from Troop 1506 working on his Eagle Scout project, is supporting the Roosevelt AmeriCorps Lending Library as well. For his Eagle Scout project, Dallin is holding book drives and collecting children’s books for the library. He also supported Roosevelt’s celebration of Dr. Seuss during Math, Literacy, and Science night by collecting over one hundred Dr. Seuss books! Each student who participated in the Dr. Seuss celebration was able to take a book home!
Thank you to Smith’s Marketplace #475, Dallin Varner and all of the generous community members who are changing the odds by donating children’s books to the Lending Library!
