The SaddleBrooke Ranch woodworkers who built bookcases for young readers in Kearny are (L to R) Barry Milner, Mark Prose, John Gordon, Dan Carter, Dale Lythjohan, Russ Hardy, Sam Rossi, Jeff Hanson, Tony Manza. Not pictured, Ken De Leo, Jim Lindley, Eric Taylor.
Nancy McCluskey-Moore
At the end of the school year, first grade students at Ray Elementary School in Kearny receive a handmade bookcase and at least two books. Each child annually receives an additional two books (through the third grade) to store on their bookcase. The Rotary Club of Kearny started this program to encourage young students to read, since many come from homes where there are no books. For many years, the Club helped to finance and construct the bookcases.
When the Rotary Club backed away from the program, SaddleBrooke Community Outreach (SBCO) began providing an annual grant to buy the books and the materials for the bookcases. At first, Kearny-area woodworking/shop class students built the bookcases. Then prisoners in Florence were paid to build them. Finally, SaddleBrooke Ranch residents who enjoy woodworking volunteered their talent and time to build the bookcases. This is the fifth consecutive year that Ranchers have built bookcases for these elementary school students.
This year 27 sturdy, beautifully built bookcases were delivered to the school in Kearny. SBCO and the first graders of Ray Elementary School are grateful to the residents of SaddleBrooke Ranch who so generously contributed their skills and resources to support this program: Dan Carter, Ken De Leo, John Gordon, Jeff Hansen, Russ Hardy, Jim Lindley, Dale Lythjohan, Tony Manza, Mark Prose, Sam Rossi, and head builder, Barry Milner.
The students in Kearny value the bookcases and the books they receive as first graders. High school students have reported that they are still using their bookcases, adding to their book collection over the course of their education.