‘For the Love of Reading’ drive to fill West Madison’s shelves
The “For the Love of Reading” book drive to benefit West Madison Elementary School will run from Jan. 19 through Feb. 15. (CONTRIBUTED)
MADISON – The “For the Love of Reading” book drive, coinciding with the Valentine’s Day season, will promote student literacy at West Madison Elementary School.
Organizers Laura Samples and her employers Greg and Kim Shaw at Southern Scape landscaping were looking for ways to give back to the community.
“Books are the key to a bright future,” Samples said. “Our community is filled with people with doctorate degrees, and Madison and Huntsville have been named one of the country’s top 100 places to live and work by multiple publications.”
Those honors directly relate to Madison’s schools, Samples said. “I’ve always felt very fortunate to have had such a wonderful education from the Madison school system.”
West Madison media specialist Emily Wolfe was surprised and pleased about the drive, Samples said.
Individuals can donate any type of new or gently used books, age appropriate for West Madison’s grades K-6. Book series are a good option. Hardbacks for the library are preferred, but paperbacks for classrooms are welcomed, too.
Drop-off sites are Whistle Stop Sweet Shop, 104 Main St.; Gigi’s Cupcakes, 1591 Hughes Road; and Dublin Park lobby, 8324 Old Madison Pike. The drive will run from Jan. 19 through Feb. 15.
Samples attended West Madison before graduating from Bob Jones High School in 2004 and continuing to earn a bachelor’s degree at Manhattan School of Music in New York City. The Shaws also are Bob Jones alumni.
Literature gives children “the chance to expand their minds and imaginations and encourages them to explore the world,” Samples said. “My personal dream is that every child have at least five books of their very own. That’s a lofty goal, so I decided to start with a small step of improving one school’s library.”
Samples expects a big success. “The generosity of Madison residents has never been disappointing when it comes to our schools,” she said.
Southern Scape’s address is 312 Palmer Road. For information, call 256-746-1001 or email to laura@southernscape.com.
