Program collects 26,148 books for Cd'A kids

COEUR d'ALENE — Jingle Books coordinator Dave Eubanks said books are the fuel that fires intelligence and imagination.

And, thanks to community donations, kindergartners through third-graders in the Coeur d'Alene School District will each receive six more pieces of fuel to ignite their futures, just in time for Christmas break.

"I'm flabbergasted... it's unbelievable," Eubanks said of the book drive's success, while preparing for the arrival of the first group of students to the Jingle Books book fair at Winton Elementary School on Monday. "That's a lot of stoking for their fires and I'm stoked, too."

In little more than a month, 26,148 books were donated to Jingle Books — a holiday program focused on ending childhood illiteracy in Coeur d'Alene. Throughout the week, Eubanks and other Jingle Books volunteers will be at each of the school district's 10 elementary schools to give students a chance to choose their six books.

"Are we keeping the books forever?" one kindergarten girl at Winton asked.

"Forever," her teacher responded, triggering a gleeful smile from the student and other students sitting in line beside her.

Excitement and seriousness were clearly visible on the faces of students as they walked beside the tables filled with books in the school's gym. Cherish Hansen, a second-grade teacher at Winton, was just as excited as her students.

"This is amazing," Hansen said between helping her class choose books. "I know they're going to go home and read these books."

Some of the students couldn't wait to get home before diving into the age-appropriate books they selected.

"Even some of my 'non-readers,' kids who are still struggling to read, are over there reading already and they're so jazzed," Hansen said. "Being able to choose the books is huge. When it's a gift like this, an exciting gift they get to choose on their own, it adds value versus just being told by their teacher, 'This is what you have to read this week.'"

Another class arrived shortly after Hansen's class finished selecting their books, repeating a chorus of gleeful thanks and excitement that will be seen all week.

"This is all about the kids and the importance of reading," Eubanks said. "It's the most important thing we teach in schools."

Greta Gissel, who runs the program with Eubanks, told The Press that children who cannot read at grade level by the end of third grade will likely face significant cultural, social and economic challenges. But, she added, nearly every child has the capacity to read at grade level.

"This important milestone must be achieved to ensure a chance of success," Gissel said. "The donation of 26,148 books outstandingly supports the communities dedication and support of literacy and proficiency for every child."

Both Gissel and Eubanks expressed their gratitude for the volunteers in the community who donated their time, and books, to the program.

"We are overwhelmed with gratitude toward the students at Venture High School who sorted the books, volunteers from the Coeur d'Alene High School Key Club for volunteering to help kids choose books and to the community partners and individuals who have donated time, energy, and books," Gissel said. "Thank you."

"We've got books from everywhere," Eubanks added. "This is an example of our generous community giving over the top ... again."