WOW! Magic Book Drive Bash

“Today a reader, tomorrow a leader.”
– Margaret Fuller

Check us out on page 9 in the April 8 edition of the Eagle Tribune here and below in English & Spanish in the April 15 edition of Rumbo.

Story time with a wonderful children’s author, bookmark making, coloring with character-shaped crayons, books galore, and snacks from our favorite stories. That was our Tuesday morning. That was our Book Drive Bash!

On March 31st, the last day of National Reading Month, we celebrated with the culmination of our month-long (and then some) book drive for the School for Exceptional Studies. We collected a total of over 1900 books to donate to the school, for their K-4 students. On March 31st, we gave them those books.

A few students and teachers arrived at our Andover location Tuesday morning. They we’re greeted by towering bookshelves, a wagon and some crates and bins filled to the brim with books.

“This is awesome,” exclaimed one of the young boys. He immediately went straight for a Clifford book and stuffed animal. Another student marveled at the Cat in the Hat section.

As they combed through book after book, the students settled onto the beanbags and carpets laid out in the make-shift library setup. Soon, a special guest arrived and everyone fell silent.

Elizabeth Lorayne, author of The Adventures of Piratess Tilly, joined us for a very exciting story time. The students, and many Colleagues of American Training, listened carefully as we learned of Tilly’s adventures.

“That’s my new favorite book,” said fourth-grader Disnelson Acosta.

Lorayne then handed out a signed copy to each student. A sea of “thank you’s” responded.

Off the students went to make bookmarks to keep in their new books. There they spent time coloring pictures of characters from Tilly’s story with character-shaped crayons.

The day wrapped up with the students reading stories from their new library and everyone sharing snacks like bookworms, or candy worms, giant cookies from If you Give a Mouse a Cookie, and vegetables from Peter Rabbit’s garden! There was even a cake that looked like the cover of The Giving Tree!

“The day was a huge success. We collected way more books than we ever thought we would. We have to thank everyone who donated. We really appreciate it. Your donations brought smiles to these little faces and they will bring smiles to many more in the years to come,” said director of the event Hiedi Keefer, Assistant Director of Specialized Housing.

Find out more about why we collected here. Thank you to all who donated and thank you the Mall at Rockingham Park, Greater Lawrence Family Health Center, Liberty Mutual, and the Emmaus House for your donations as well.

If you didn’t get the chance to donate (or even if you did), but would still like to contribute, you can! On Wednesday night, April 22nd, the Andover Bookstore will be hosting a fundraiser for the school. A portion of all sales between 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. will go directly to the school to help them build their library. In addition, a bin will be placed at the store for people to make book donations.

Check out pictures from the bash below:

And in Rumbo, April 15th edition:

Back to Events  

We’re committed to bringing out the best in everyone.
We promise to make Life Matter.

We look forward to hearing from you!