Books are the word during District 67 book drive
By Tricia Sweet Contribuor February 7, 2012 5:40PM
Morgan Holmes, Gabby Franko, Bopo Taiwo, fourth graders at Cherokee School. | Tricia Sweet~For Sun-Times Media
Lake Forest’s District 67 APT’s Used Children’s Book Drive
Benefiting Bernie’s Book Bank – connecting books with children needing books
Through Feb. 15
berniesbookbank.org
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Updated: March 13, 2012 11:26AM
Murphy Moorhead, a kindergartner at Cherokee School, is eager to pitch in to achieve a big goal: gathering 10,000 books in only two weeks.
“I have a huge box of books at home that I am going to give to the children who need them,” Murphy said enthusiastically.
Through Feb. 15, District 67 Association of Parents and Teachers has partnered with Bernie’s Book Bank of Lake Forest to collect 10,000 books from students in kindergarten through sixth grade that can, in turn, be given to at-risk children in the Chicago area.
Bernie’s kicked off the event with schoolwide pep rallies at the three District 67 elementary schools in January.
Tom Clark, a professional storyteller and Golden Apple Award-winning kindergarten teacher, regaled the children with stories to help them recognize the important role they play in collecting books.
“This book drive gives our kids the chance to learn about community service and how they can help others in the Chicagoland area who are less fortunate,” said Anne Skinner, community service chair for the APT board. “Ten thousand books will make a big difference in kids’ lives.”
Awards will be given to the class with the highest collection in each school. Brian Floriani, founder of Bernie’s Book Bank — which was created in memory of his father — added an extra incentive for the children to achieve their goal.
“If you reach 10,000 books, I will come back and do the worm across the gym floor,” Floriani said to the giggling students.
Spoken like a true bookworm.
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