About 650 students from Freedom Elementary each received a free book, thanks to the generous donation from the Laredo Area Retired School Employees Association.
LARSEA members transformed the school’s library into a veritable book fest by laying out hundreds of books - ranging from Dr. Seuss books to books about animals and the environment - on the tables grouped by grade.
As students entered the library on March 19, their eyes widened with surprise as they approached the carefully arranged display.
“Can I pick a book just for me?” softly whispered a first-grader. A fourth-grader showed off his book about football to his impressed friends. “I got a chapter book!” exclaimed another student.
The LARSEA chapter has collected 3,000 books since January. The books, which are new or gently used, go to schools throughout the community and places like Casa Misericordia, Bethany House, the Children’s Advocacy Center and Sacred Heart Children’s Home.
There are 300 members in the Laredo chapter, and they report their community hours to the state, which has determined that their volunteer efforts are worth in the millions of dollars. If you are interested in donating books to LARSEA or joining the organization, please call 956-251-7585.
Aaron Aguilar, a third-grader, said he was thankful to LARSEA and then showed off his selection - Fox in Socks by Dr. Seuss.
“This is my favorite book,” Aaron said. “I feel that the students will be happy with what they got and they will be happy for the rest of their third grade and probably more,” he added.
He loves to read books about all different subjects, especially snakes. He said that his friends picked books about dinosaurs and Dog Man.
Laura Nanez, immediate past president of the Laredo Chapter and District 1 Foundation Liaison, said the members of the organization loved watching the children’s faces light up as they held their books. The effort is good for the retired educators, too.
“As retired teachers, we want to share the love of reading. As a former language arts teacher at Cigarroa, I instilled the love of reading in my students,” she said. “Some of these students might not have a book at home.”
“Even though we are retired, we have a lot to contribute to the community,” Nanez said, explaining that the organization also gives out scholarships.
LARSEA members who helped with the Freedom Elementary Book Giveaway
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