MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Read To Succeed received 4,151 gently used books last Thursday from Erma Siegel Elementary’s 4th Annual Holiday Book Drive.

Ms. Pope and her class spearheaded the drive in 2019, and it has since become an annual event. This year’s drive was held between Dec. 1-13.

“I love to read and have so many students who love to read,” said Pope, a fifth-grade teacher. “I feel it is very important for my students to be involved in serving others, and I know books are something most [of them] have at home.”

This holiday season, Pope and her students turned the drive into a school-wide competition which resulted in their largest book collection to date. While the number of books collected impresses Pope, she truly believes in the heart of the matter.

“This book drive is something that is easy for kids to truly get involved in. It’s a wonderful way to support literacy in our community and to help ensure that EVERY child in Murfreesboro has access to books.”

The donated books will be used in Read To Succeed’s family literacy programs which serve pre-k through high school students. Additionally, Read To Succeed will distribute the books to Rutherford County students and families during the organization’s community events that run throughout the year.

“As a parent of a child at Erma Siegel, it makes me proud to know that students here are participating in such an act of kindness during the holiday season. It makes sorting, stamping, and getting them back out into the community even more rewarding for me,” said Liz Helander, Read To Succeed’s youth and family literacy coordinator. Click Here to Learn More about RTS.