Here is a challenge from Lily and Andrew Parsons, 2012-2013 Jefferson 3rd and 1st graders, respectively. During the summer, challenge yourself to a “read-a-thon” and donate the money to a good cause.  In Lily and Andrew’s case, it was the Jefferson media center.  During the summer of 2012, Lily and Andy got their extended family to pledge an amount of money for the numbers of pages they read.   

 

“It was Lily's idea. She wanted all last year to do a fundraiser for the library. She is an avid reader, you know, and thought JES library deserved extra money to buy more books, so I let her brainstorm ideas of how to raise money for the library and this was the most feasible one,” says Katie Parsons, Lily’s mother.  “We wrote a letter to Ms. Mannon together last spring, explaining her idea and asking her permission. She, of course, said yes, so Lily set out asking grandparents, aunts, uncles, and mom and dad to make pledges.” 

 

Most of the pledges were one cent per page or up to a buck a book.  What Katie says was remarkable was the reading progress, especially with Andy.

 

“Andy was reading Easy Readers and picture books at the beginning of the summer, think, Biscuit Books and Level 1 readers, and now he can read Magic Tree House books!” said a very proud mom.  “He didn’t read as many pages as his sis did but the progress he made in his reading skills was really remarkable.” 

 

The grand total in pledges: $603 and yes, that was much more than the family thought they would be donating.  

 

“My hubby started worrying about our budget as the book count kept getting higher and higher,” laughed Katie.  “But in the end, he agreed that what they were doing was pretty remarkable and good for their brains.”

 

If your students do something remarkable over the summer to raise money for a good cause, let us know about it so we can share their kindness and creativity.  Who knows, maybe it will inspire other students to follow suit.