Wesleyan, Vinal, Mercy and Xavier Collect Books For Macdonough

Submitted by Matt Donohue

NHS Advisor Cheryl Lee and Vinal students proudly show off some books.  From left, Phil Masotta, Jacquelyn Sattler, Cheryl Lee, Evan Durcot.

Through the combined efforts of the National Honors Societies at Vinal, Mercy, and Xavier High Schools, a large donation of over 1,000 books from St. Sebastian School and student support from Wesleyan University, almost 2,000 books have reached the excited hands of Macdonough Elementary students in the past few weeks.  This  huge influx of books has helped the school initiate its new book distribution program designed to help students discover the wonders of reading and reaching out to help others.

The Bring Back a Book Drive, coordinated by Shane Donahue, an AmeriCorps volunteer at Macdonough Elementary School  and active community member, and many other AmeriCorps volunteers, marks the first regional book drive coordinated by Wesleyan University students with the surrounding Middletown schools.

The book drive relied heavily upon the leadership and communication skills of Middletown’s youth and they could not have responded in a more positive way.  The book drive opened student driven forums in all of the participating schools and allowed students the opportunity to assume leadership positions facilitating book donations and input from the entire community.  The importance of reading at a young age was a common topic at all of the schools and students felt very motivated to give back to their surrounding communities. 

As Vinal’s NHS Adviser Cheryl Lee stated, “It’s helping the kids who may not have the resources to purchase books.”  National Honor Society student member and community artist Elisha Bettencourt agreed: “My dream is that every Macdonough Elementary student has easy access to books… books that they can personally own, read, trade and interpret, while at the same time improving their critical reading skills and engaging in active academic discourse with their friends, family, and teachers.”  Mercy and Xavier students had similar feelings.

“Why a book drive?” I asked many students.  Mercy student Katherine Corbett responded: “Child literacy is becoming a major issue in the United States and through a book drive, not only do we raise awareness of the cause, but we also provide students the means to grow as individuals and as students.”

All of the participating students showed interest in continuing the book drive next year and expressed their commitment to the greater Middletown community.  I have never met a group of students more driven, motivated and passionate about providing North End students books and for that I commend them.  I have never been more proud to be a Wesleyan student and member of the Middletown community.

The Bring Back a Book is currently expanding to more regional schools, including schools in Cromwell, Rocky Hill and Meriden.  A special thanks goes out to Shane Donahue, Wesleyan Resident Advisors and volunteers, Cheryl Lee, Daniela Esposito, Robert King, Principal Jon Romeo and most importantly, the countless student

volunteers. Without your insight and leadership skills, this book drive would not have been possible.