Riverside students cheered Thursday in the school gym after they were told that each of them would be receiving a free book.
The Minnesota chapter of Qwest Pioneers, a service organization made up of retired and current Qwest employees, selected Riverside School to donate 590 new books. Each of the school's 570 students got a book and the remaining books were donated to the school library.
Qwest Pioneers volunteers delivering the books to the school Thursday were Shane Hardee, Baxter; Neil Johnson, Brainerd; Grace Klassen, St. Cloud; Pat Jeukens, Forest Lake; Jan Swenson, Brooklyn Center; and Carol and Al Barthel, Little Falls.
Riverside kindergartners Llisa Rono (left), Keaton Kearney and Tucker McPherson held up some of the 590 new books that Qwest Pioneers donated to Riverside students Thursday. Each of the 570 students were given a free book, with the rest donated to the Riverside school library. Brainerd Dispatch/Jodie Tweed
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Swenson said Qwest Pioneers actively promotes literacy and selects three to four schools in Minnesota each year for book donations - among the other work they do. Since they hadn't donated books to a school in the Brainerd lakes area, they picked Riverside this year, primarily because it's one of the largest elementary schools in the district and has a large percentage of students who qualify for free or reduced lunches.
"We're trying to get the kids enthused about reading," Swenson said.
Carol Barthel said it's always fun for her to visit schools in which Qwest Pioneers donate books.
"It is tremendous just knowing every child is going to get their own book and bring it home," Barthel said. "I love kids and I love books. What can't you love about giving a book to a child and seeing the look on their face?"
"I think it's awesome," Riverside Principal Cathy Engler said of the book donation. "What a way to ignite reading in a child. It's a wonderful gift."
JODIE TWEED may be reached at jodie.tweed@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5858.
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