The Book People still need an additional 5,000 books to meet their goal. Contact Susan Fairhurst at faircom1012i@yahoo.com or First United Methodist Church of Hillsville at (276) 728-2434 to learn how you can donate children's books for the cause.
HILLSVILLE, Va. (Feb. 6, 2016) -- The Book People of First United Methodist Church in Hillsville handed out the first free books to students Monday at Oakland Elementary School.
The group has set a goal of becoming known for distributing books throughout Carroll County, free of charge. Project Facilitator Susan Fairhust said Pastor Robert Smith approached her with the idea of a book ministry with a goal of donating a book to every child in Carroll County (in grades K through 12).
“I remember the idea for this ministry came to me from a television program which stated that no child should be without a book,” said Smith. Smith was joined by fellow Rotarian Jane Munsey, who is also a Lions Club member. Other Lions present Monday to read to students included Jerry and Shirley Varn and Fairhurst.
Smith said the bags of donated books taken to the school were a beginning. He said Fairhurst “had really taken the bull by the horns and run with it.”
“I’m so excited about this. They (the students) all love books,” said Oakland Library Media Specialist Gail Turpin. “They get to come to the library at least once a week. Kindergarten students get to check out a book and are rewarded when they bring it back by getting to check out another. They get upset if they forget they’re book and can’t check one out.”
See complete story in The Carroll News ...
See Jan. 5 story in The Carroll News ...
Find out about Holston's mission initiative for local children in poverty at WaytoGive.Holston.org.