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The “Look, It’s My Book!” editorial on Jan. 20 was fantastic.
I would like to clarify a few additional details for your readers. “Look, It’s My Book” is a Peoria success story. Another bright spot — another ray of hope — in Peoria’s District 150.
Our focus today is limited to 25 percent of Peoria’s kindergarten through fourth-grade students due to lack of funds. We are hoping to raise enough money to be in 100 percent of Peoria’s schools next year. Everyone in the Peoria area making a donation is a part of this story.
“Look, It’s My Book” is a true happiness story for the students at Thomas Jefferson, Harrison, Irving and Roosevelt grade schools.
If only everyone could only see the smile on the faces the six times a year each student gets to choose their own personal book to keep forever.
Happiness for each of the teachers in Thomas Jefferson, Harrison, Irving, and Roosevelt grade schools.
Happiness for each of the volunteer reading mentors in these schools. Happiness for each of the principals in these schools. Happiness for each of the administrators in District 150. Happiness for Mayor Ardis and the Peoria City Council. Happiness for each of the school board members in District 150. Happiness for each of the families of these students. (They are enjoying the results; as every parent wants their children to learn).
There is even happiness for each of the school bus drivers at these schools. The bus drivers tell us the buses are quiet on the days that we give a book to each of the students, as the kids are reading their new books on the way home after school.
Happiness, in a word, describes our volunteers. We have had a large number of individuals join in our efforts, including civic and church groups. More than 150 individuals have joined us to date.
The “Look, It’s My Book” program is only two years old. This idea for a simple way to put children on the way to success through reading was presented by Janet Roth to a number of Peoria’s retirees.
Everyone felt Janet had a winning idea, which we wanted to develop with Roth as our leader.
Her actions have shown her to be a wonderful leader of today’s volunteers. As a group, we decided to stop “belly aching about our schools” and to start doing something to help them. The rest is history.
We had hopes of maybe being in two schools by now, and we have received amazing support allowing us to expand to four of Peoria’s schools. In less than two years, we have given away more than 9,000 books to Peoria’s students.
Many of these students have never owned even one book. Some of our strongest supporters live in Tazewell County. They understand that education in one our school districts affects the entire Tri-County area.
Happiness awaits every Peorian who wants to make a difference in our school children by making a donation of money or time to this exceptionally cost-effective program.
Our donors get a lot of bang for their buck, because 100 percent of every dollar donated is used to purchase a large variety of quality books. We have negotiated to purchase our books for an average of cost of $2 each, including shipping. Many of our books are purchased at a discount of up to 80 percent.
Our current goal is raise enough money to include each of Peoria’s 16 primary schools. The average yearly cost per school is $6,000.
“Look, It’s My Book” is where giving books equals giving futures. It is happening now. You, too, can make the difference in saving our schools, our businesses and our city.
To donate, go to www.lookitsmybook.org
Kenny Carrigan
Peoria
The “Look, It’s My Book!” editorial on Jan. 20 was fantastic.
I would like to clarify a few additional details for your readers. “Look, It’s My Book” is a Peoria success story. Another bright spot — another ray of hope — in Peoria’s District 150.
Our focus today is limited to 25 percent of Peoria’s kindergarten through fourth-grade students due to lack of funds. We are hoping to raise enough money to be in 100 percent of Peoria’s schools next year. Everyone in the Peoria area making a donation is a part of this story.
“Look, It’s My Book” is a true happiness story for the students at Thomas Jefferson, Harrison, Irving and Roosevelt grade schools.
If only everyone could only see the smile on the faces the six times a year each student gets to choose their own personal book to keep forever.
Happiness for each of the teachers in Thomas Jefferson, Harrison, Irving, and Roosevelt grade schools.
Happiness for each of the volunteer reading mentors in these schools. Happiness for each of the principals in these schools. Happiness for each of the administrators in District 150. Happiness for Mayor Ardis and the Peoria City Council. Happiness for each of the school board members in District 150. Happiness for each of the families of these students. (They are enjoying the results; as every parent wants their children to learn).
There is even happiness for each of the school bus drivers at these schools. The bus drivers tell us the buses are quiet on the days that we give a book to each of the students, as the kids are reading their new books on the way home after school.
Happiness, in a word, describes our volunteers. We have had a large number of individuals join in our efforts, including civic and church groups. More than 150 individuals have joined us to date.
The “Look, It’s My Book” program is only two years old. This idea for a simple way to put children on the way to success through reading was presented by Janet Roth to a number of Peoria’s retirees.
Everyone felt Janet had a winning idea, which we wanted to develop with Roth as our leader.
Her actions have shown her to be a wonderful leader of today’s volunteers. As a group, we decided to stop “belly aching about our schools” and to start doing something to help them. The rest is history.
We had hopes of maybe being in two schools by now, and we have received amazing support allowing us to expand to four of Peoria’s schools. In less than two years, we have given away more than 9,000 books to Peoria’s students.
Many of these students have never owned even one book. Some of our strongest supporters live in Tazewell County. They understand that education in one our school districts affects the entire Tri-County area.
Happiness awaits every Peorian who wants to make a difference in our school children by making a donation of money or time to this exceptionally cost-effective program.
Our donors get a lot of bang for their buck, because 100 percent of every dollar donated is used to purchase a large variety of quality books. We have negotiated to purchase our books for an average of cost of $2 each, including shipping. Many of our books are purchased at a discount of up to 80 percent.
Our current goal is raise enough money to include each of Peoria’s 16 primary schools. The average yearly cost per school is $6,000.
“Look, It’s My Book” is where giving books equals giving futures. It is happening now. You, too, can make the difference in saving our schools, our businesses and our city.
To donate, go to www.lookitsmybook.org
Kenny Carrigan
Peoria
