From left, Books from Birth’s Hunter McFarlin, John Colemon principal Joe Phillips, Smyrna West principal Kay Davenport, Linda Prichard with RCS, LaVergne Primary principal Angela Maupin, Brian Nale and Josh Anderson, both with Books from Birth.

Rutherford County Schools recently donated $20,800 as part of a district-wide fund-raiser to help support the Rutherford County Books from Birth program. Individual schools set a goal to raise one dollar for every student using the creativity of their students and employees.

At Rock Springs Elementary School, for example, principal Stephen Lewis agreed to kiss a pig if the school met its goal. The school came through and the principal puckered up. As another example, students and employees at Kittrell Elementary School brought in used books to sell as part of their fund-raiser.

Rutherford County’s Book from Birth program mails one book every month to children under the age of five at no cost to their parents. The group’s goal is to promote literacy and a love of reading, goals which benefit the school district once students enter kindergarten.

At a recent Board of Education meeting, Director of Schools Harry Gill commended the non-profit organization for its efforts to help children.

“I think it’s commendable that you guys volunteer your time for this kind of cause to help the little guys,” Gill said.

Schools that met their goal were entered into a drawing to win cash prizes. Smyrna West Alternative School won $5,000, John Colemon Elementary School won $2,500 and LaVergne Primary School won $1,000.