Thursday, May 2, 2024
Every educator knows that developing a love of reading is the key that opens the door to a world of knowledge and discovery for students. With this in mind, members of Coryell Retired School Personnel (CRSP) once again continued their annual participation in a statewide Children’s Book Project aimed at placing free books in the hands of children, ages twelve and under, who otherwise might not have books of their own. This statewide project was started in 1998 by TRTA (Texas Retired Teachers), the nation’s largest organization of retired public school employees. Although the statewide total of books given away in 2023 is not yet available, the grand total was 117,850 books in 2021 and 144,237 books in 2022. However, our local chapter donations were 2,230 books in 2021 and 2,406 books in 2022. Our total for this past year (2023) is an awesome 3,215 books!
About 1,500 books were delivered to the Gatesville Care Center to be distributed to clients for their children as Christmas gifts. Books have also been donated to Jonesboro, Oglesby, and Gatesville school districts, especially for Pre-K, kindergarten, and first graders. Books for students enrolled in Head Start in both the spring and fall semesters received books, and some books were donated to help support the Head Start curriculum. Books were taken to the Texas Hospitality House for use by parents who brought along children when they came in on weekends to visit family or friends incarcerated at TDC. If parents or children staying at the Hospitality House want to take books home with them, CRSP will gladly replace the books as needed throughout the year. Something new was tried in 2022-23, as several retirees worked at tables set up behind the Presbyterian Church on Halloween for the Boozaar. As children came by to play games, check out booths, or trick-or-treat for candy, CRSP allowed the children to pick out a free book or two along with a piece of candy. The children seemed to really enjoy this option, and lots of parents expressed their appreciation of our effort and said they would try to donate books to us for next year. About 175 books were given away that evening. At the “Back to School Bash” last August, CRSP Book Project committee members set up tables and gave books away to children who came to pick out school supplies. The Book Project Committee plans to try other ideas like these at other special community events and activities.
Books are chosen for their content and artwork as well as appropriateness for grade level. A book plate is carefully placed inside the cover, indicating that it is a gift from CRSP. According to Gail Johnson, local CRSP President, “Although we are no longer actively teaching in the classroom, we retirees continue to care about school children. We respect and appreciate the job that current teachers do; after all, we have walked in their shoes.” JoAnn Sugg, District XII TRTA President, added, “The book project is also supportive of parents as they strive to encourage their children to read at home. Retirees never underestimate the importance of reading, whether it is for pleasure or for work-related details.”
One-way CRSP purchases new books is with funds raised or donated by members themselves. One meeting a year is spent playing “Bingo for Books,” where members pay a nominal fee to play a card(s) in each game and receive a small prize if their card is a winner. Some members just make a donation from time to time or purchase a few new books to donate throughout the year. The retirees also collect “gently used” books each year to give away to children. (Gently used books are not brand new, but they are in very good condition: no writing in them; no torn pages, cover, or spine, etc.)
“We are always on the ‘look out’ for a book deal, like other groups’ book sales or garage sales, where we can pick some nice books up to add to our book numbers,” says Books Project Chairman, Marsha Lee. “If anyone would like to donate new or gently used books or donate money to buy new books, our organization will be most appreciative. You can contact me by phone or via text message at 254-216-1677 or by email to marsha_lee48@yahoo.com. Likewise, if you know of some other group who could benefit from receiving free books for children, or if you know of another venue where we could set up a table to offer free children’s books, please contact me or any member of retired teachers.”
