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.
It’s now time to spread that love to our students.
Last year, the Osceola County School District shared nearly 38,000 books and many 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. To kick off Literacy Week later this month, the Celebration Foundation is hosting its first virtual book drive.
Beginning January 1, participants can purchase books by making a donation on the Celebration Foundation’s website. Books cost an average of $20 each.
Celebration K-8 School Librarian Katie McDonald, a second-generation librarian, is new to the school’s library, but her excitement for this 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 from community members. The organization will then match the donation, resulting in a total of $20,000 to purchase books and other necessary items for the library. The fundraiser is off to a great start with a $3,000 donation, totaling $6,000 thus far.
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!”
To make a donation, or for more information visit CelebrationFoudation.org.