A couple days ago......
the Raccoon News gave readers a chance to give a book (or books, any amount welcome) to the 5th grade boys at a Houston TX elementary school in a disadvantaged neighborhood where Leland Dix teaches a struggling class. Struggling, impoverished, but striving: that is the key. The Teach for America effort Lee is with - in his second year - greatly boosts these students' chances, nationwide.
We gave two links to the book project, one telling about it, and a second giving you an idea of what Leland is about in his teaching.
They were:
and
HERE'S A 3RD:
The Raccoon News re-invites you to help these kids in any small way that you can.
...........................................
We are reminded of the role that books played for our children, Leland and Erin.
The Hiawatha book given to Erin still reposes on a book shelf here in storage for her and will someday be passed along to her own children.
The passing along of books is part of Lee's program practice, to share the carefully tended and respected volumes with later classes for maximum mileage.
(cont'd, to end)
Erin loved that book.....
......................
When we were very young we were given a book titled 'Barefoot Abe' about Abraham Lincoln.
That book is still with us for later readers.
Here, you see the SRN editor reading that very same book shown above and photographed today, but received in the 1940s. Still going strong.
LET US GIVE LASTING BOOKS, ALWAYS.
FOR DISTANT CHILDREN
SO MUCH THE BETTER.
THE BEST GIFT WE CAN GIVE.
(END OF PITCH)
