Fraternity puts 11,752 books ....
Fraternity puts 11,752 books in libraries of Central City Catholic
schools
By Kevin Kelly
Catholic Key Associate Editor
Kevin Kelly/Key photo Children from schools supported by the
diocesan Central City School Fund were special guests of Sigma Tau Gamma's Books for Kids breakfast Aug. 7 as the fraternity announced the donation of 11,752 books to the libraries of their schools.
KANSAS CITY - Can the diocesan Central City schools use nearly 12,000 new library books? Free?
"Oh, my gosh!" said Connie Armstrong, principal of St. Stephen School in Kansas City. "This year, we weren't able to budget money for any new books.
This is a great gift. The students always get excited when they see new books."
"We could never get this many new books into our schools," said Roberta Miller, principal of St. Ann School in Independence. "Books are so expensive, and we have to rely on donations."
The national Sigma Tau Gamma college fraternity rode to the rescue this year, the 10th anniversary of its "Books for Kids" drive in which fraternity chapters in universities across the nation raise funds and collect children's books for donation to a worthy cause.
The fraternity, founded in 1920 in Warrensburg where it still maintains its national headquarters, has given more than 32,000 books to schools and libraries across the country, with the first donation of 1,234 books in 1994 going to the Kansas City Public Library.
This year, the fraternity's chapters donated 11,752 books to be divided among the libraries of elementary schools supported by the diocesan Central
City School Fund. In addtion to St. Stephen and St. Ann, those schools are
St. Monica, Our Lady of the Angels, Our Lady of Guadalupe and Holy Cross, all in central Kansas City.
According to statistics from the Central City School Fund, about 58 percent
of the students enrolled in a Central City Catholic school live in a
household at or below the federal poverty line, and one-third live in a household headed by a grandparent or guardian.
Since its inception in 1989, the Central City School Fund - a
partnership of the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph and local corporations, foundations
and individuals - have provided more than $20 million in tuition
assistance for families and operational subsidies for the schools.
Ken Hoover, the creator of the "Books for Kids" drive, marveled at the growth of the fraternity's program over its first decade as the
fraternity announced the gift to the Central City schools Aug. 7 during its national meeting at the Westin Crown Center in Kansas City.
"This is a very exciting and happy day for me," Hoover said. "The
momentum has been building and this year, we are setting a record."
As if donating thousands of books wasn't enough, the fraternity also presented a check for $1,500 to Diocesan School Superintendent Judy Warren which will be used to purchase literacy software for each school's computer system.
"You are helping to create a love of learning," Warren told the
fraternity members.
"Literacy is one of the most important keys to success," she said.
"Your organization and our schools are a good match. We share the same ideals you strive for - leadership, learning and values. Your gift will benefit our children not only this year, but for years to come."
Hoover noted that Sigma Tau Gamma began at Central Missouri State Teacher's College - the predecessor to today's Central Missouri State University.
"Sigma Tau Gamma and literacy is a perfect marriage," said Hoover, "We have education and books in our blood. All of us here appreciate the value of books."
|
Linear Mode
