Books for Beta By: Nikki Roberson

   The MCHS BETA club is hosting a book drive to collect new and gently used books in effort to promote literacy among primary students in Menifee County. This book drive began during the week of October 12 and will continue through the third week of November.

   The idea for the drive was originated by several BETA members who had worked with students at Botts Elementary with an after school literacy program. The literacy program is sponsored by Save the Children, which is a independent organization that works to improve the lives of children in America and around the world. The BETA members working with the literacy program thought a book drive would be a good way to promote literacy with primary students in our community. BETA advisor Kim Valerio said, "I'm really proud of the BETA members; they've chosen to conduct an event toward promoting literacy. I think it's a great idea!" Senior BETA member Courtney Benson said, "I think it's very good for BETA members because it teaches us helpful skills that help the kids as well."

  The BETA club is shooting for at least 1000 book donations. They have collected roughly 800 books so far. Half Price Books in Lexington donated 750 books, 475 of which were hard back copies. Ken Kalen, the assistant manager of Half Price Books called Mrs. Valerio Friday, October 16th and said that he had ten boxes of books. Valerio picked them up the next day. 

   Kalen donated the books because the management at Half Price Books thought that the book drive was a great project for BETA. The management of Half Price Books liked that high school students were collecting books for the children in their own community.  They also thought that it was a way to offer books to students at a young age and interest them in early reading and were happy to donate books to a small, rural community.

Mrs. Valerio said, "I was very pleased at Half Price Books' more than generous donation.  For them to extend their generosity to a community outside the Lexington area shows that they care about the literacy of children period, regardless of the location of the school district.  The management also clearly shows they support youth leadership projects, which is the fundamental principle of Beta club."

   The manager of Barnes and Noble, Debbie O'Connor, has made a book donation as well.

Students, staff, and members of the community are encouraged to donate. There are drop off points located in various locations throughout the community. "Books for Beta" boxes have been placed in the Menifee County School Library, Mrs. Lana Swartz's classroom (room 111), IGA, and the Menifee County Public Library.

   Please help the BETA club assist in the reading development of children in Menifee County by donating new or gently used children's books.