Pictured are some of the top donating students from Dartmouth Middle School along with Mrs. Gardner, school
librarian.
When students at Dartmouth Middle School collected 3,255 gently used children and teen books for
GiftsToGive in one week last April they thought they’d hit the limit of giving. That record was smashed last week, however,
when students brought in 6,000 gently used books for kids and teens. Over a five-day period students hauled in boxes and boxes
of books for children of all ages to the library. The book drive was part of the annual Amazing Race
competition, which pits homerooms against each other in various events. The competition combined with students’ generosity
of spirit made for a hugely successful book drive. "I was completely blown away by the students’ commitment to
serving others," said librarian Laura Gardner who organized the drive. "Most of the books have only been read once
and are in great condition."
All the books will be go to GiftsToGive in New Bedford where
they will be sorted by age and distributed to children in need all over the South Coast. Each child who receives items from
GiftsToGive always gets a 6 pack of books so the DMS donation will benefit 1,000 low-income children.
Students
at DMS also raised a record amount for their annual Winter Wonderland project, over $4,500; funds raised went to 33 needy
families in the community. In addition, DMS students donated $500 as well as toys to the Toys for Tots program.
