Students Restock Hurricane-Ravaged Library

When Hurricane Hugo ripped the roof off the library at Mt. Pleasant Academy, a public elementary school in Mt. Pleasant, S.C., the building was destroyed. Perhaps more devastating, the books inside had to be thrown out because of water damage.

To help restock the library, students at Vine Elementary School in West Covina are sending Mt. Pleasant Academy about 500 books.

Students at Vine School were asked to give books they had at home to students at the academy. Many of them wrote notes in the books in an effort to start a pen-pal program.

Third-graders Brian and Eric Goldstein wrote a note saying, “I’m sorry your school got ruined,” and sent it with a few of their books.

Brian and Eric’s mother, Nancy Goldstein, a PTA member who began the aid effort after seeing reports of Hugo’s destruction, said other children have sent similar notes along with their pictures and addresses.

Vine School Principal Gary Lawson said writing the notes will teach the students about other regions. He hopes it will lead to an extended letter-writing program that will increase the students’ appreciation of writing and correspondence.

Students in the upper grades at Vine School are writing and illustrating books to send to their new sister school after the beginning of the year. The books are being written by and or on computers.

Fifth-grader Brian Galleano wrote and illustrated a math book with story problems. He said he likes helping Mt. Pleasant Academy because he would feel bad if his school’s library were wrecked.

Goldstein and Lawson decided to adopt a school in the area hit by the hurricane to get as much aid as possible directly to its victims.

Mt. Pleasant Academy was chosen because it was one of the hardest-hit schools in the area but was not offered as much aid as others that were flooded, said Ann Birdseye of the Charleston County School District.

When Goldstein contacted Mt. Pleasant Academy, Principal Jane Smith said the school needed books.

In the last month, books worth about $2,000 have been been donated by students, parents and others.

Businesses and local service groups have have been asked to donate money for new books. Mrs. Nelson’s Toy and Book Shop in Covina has agreed to sell books for the effort at discount prices. Publishing houses also have been approached for donations.

The first shipment of books is scheduled to leave Monday. Because of the positive response, more books may be shipped throughout the year as they come in, Lawson said. The first 500-pound shipment will be shipped free by an airline that wished to remain anonymous, Goldstein said. Subsequent shipments may be more difficult because of the cost.