LOWES STUDENTS DONATE BOOKS

Lowes Elementary School’s sixth graders recently donated some 885 books for disadvantaged children during October’s National Book Month. They’re shown here preparing to take the books to the Great American Cookie Company in Paducah’s Kentucky Oaks Mall. Sixth grade teachers Connie Sparks and Stephanie Matthews at the northwestern Graves County school said the project spread throughout the community, bringing the number of books far higher than the classes’ original expectations. They then learned through a grandparent visitor to the school that the bakery chain holds a book drive each October.

Tama Underburger, the grandparent, also serves as assistant manager at the Paducah store. She then was able to reward each of the students with cookies when they arrived. Her company, in turn, distributes the books to the McCracken County Public Library, local domestic violence shelters and other places to reach children. Another tie-in for the project is Rachel’s Challenge, a program the Graves County Schools are emphasizing this year. Its tenets include spreading kindness and compassion throughout the community.

Photo and submission by Paul Schaumburg at (270) 328-1556