Books For Kids -- Mu Chapter has Placed over 30,000 Books in the Hands of St. Vrain Students Since 1997
In 1997-98, Mu Chapter began a project to place books in the hands of children in the St. Vrain Community. Members replaced the annual Christmas ornament exchange with BOOKS FOR KIDS and purchased new books for children in the St. Vrain community. During the first year of the project, originated by Kathy Flynn and spear-headed by Aileen Solt, Mu Chapter placed books at the Teen Parenting Center, presenting them to Mary Frances Wagoner, director, at the Career Development Center. Aileen facilitated the program up and through 2002. Since its inception, during the late 90's and early 2000's the project grew to include book donations from Mu Chapter to the Tiny Tim Learning Center, The Inn Between, and continued providing books for the Teen Parenting Center totaling over 2,500 titles.
Recent History: New Liaison with Pre-School Screening Program:
Since 2015, when project coordinator Gail Ward (2002-Present) attended a meeting of the pre-school coordinators and arranged for over 150 books to be given to be distributed during readiness testing sessions, this has been our Books For Kids project. This will be a yearly contribution to aid the pre-school programs. From 2015 to 2017, approximately 450 books were donated to the screening project.
When long-time member and reading teacher Evelyn Bullock passed away, to honor her, remembrance monetary donations were given by many retired teachers, mainly from Rocky Mountain Elementary school, This fund is active and provides funding for the pre-school project, along with current member contributions.
In both 2015 and 2016, books were given to Northridge Elementary. Principal Lorynda Sampson received the books and distributed them to the students in an after-school gathering. Over 1600 books were provided. Kathy Flynn, Gail Ward, Georgie Suppe' and Cheryl Barnett facilitated the project.
In 2014, books were given to Timberline K-8 school. Over 2500 books were donated to the school and distributed to each student in Kindergarten through 8th grade. Custodians and Staff were extremely helpful in the distribution of the books. Gail Ward coordinated the sorting and distribution with the help of a crew of approximately 20 volunteer members. The Books were received from member and community donations, AAUW (Longmont Branch), and Boulder County ReCycle.
In 2013, approximately 800 books were given to Loma Linda Elementary. In Spring 2012, books were given to Rocky Mountain Elementary (500) and Columbine Elementary (500).
In the Spring of 2011, Mu Chapter and BORDERS BOOK STORE donated over 1000 books to Northridge Elementary. This donation took place on the same day as several of our members participated in the READ IN at Northridge.
In the Fall of 2011, Chair Gail Ward presented principal Judy Orbanosky, Indian Peaks Elementary, with approximately 800 books which were distributed on the same evening as the parent/child Open House. Indian Peaks is a Title I school.
In 2009-2010, the project placed approximately 7,000 books in the hands of Title I elementary students, Teen Parenting, and Tiny Tim Center. This is the 12th year of the project and it continues to serve children in the St. Vrain Valley. Again, a huge 'Thank You' to Borders Books.
Project Directors: Gail Ward, chair personal growth and services; Cheryl Barnett, president; Kathy Flynn, Professional Affairs
In 2006, the project expanded to include the Title I schools in St. Vrain Valley Schools. Donations were gathered from many elementary schools to support the Title I schools. In 2008, Rosie Anderson promoted a liaison with BORDERS BOOK STORE and the project grew exponentially. We thank Borders Books and are extremely sad to have lost them --both for our project and for our community. Over 4,000 books were divided among 7 Title I Schools in SVVSD.
From 2002 up and through the spring of 2006 over 5,000 books were distributed to various city non-profits and to St. Vrain Valley
Schools. Gail Ward coordinated our Books for Kids program during those years.
Contact Web Manager: Kathy Flynn [email protected] Updated: January 18, 2018