Villages-News.com readers responded to a recent call for help from the Rotary Club of The Villages–Evening.
Rotary members had decided to collect used Kindles, Nooks and iPads to benefit underprivileged students at Harbour View Elementary School in Summerfield. With those devices, students would be able to access a free reading program the school is encouraging families to use at home. Harbour View officials could download the appropriate programs at school and then students could enjoy reading at home without a need for internet access, which many families can’t afford.
When the drive first started, the Rotary Club had a collected a few of the electronic devices. But after an article was published Aug. 21 making Villages-News.com readers aware of the need, things quickly changed. Suddenly, a stream of E-readers and four brand new Nooks arrived at Rotary Club member Sue Bodenner’s home at 1807 Estafana Way in the Village of Tierra Del Sol South – all placed in a box in a protected corner at her front door.
“Most of the 23 devices were given by anonymous donors just dropping them off and they didn’t even ring the doorbell,” she said, adding that her Rotary Club is very appreciate of the response.
The devices will help Harbour View Elementary School Media Center Director Jennifer Jones begin to implement the important at-home reading program without students needing access to the internet. Jones will download the reading materials to the devices at the school, which is located at 8445 SE 147th Pl. in Summerfield. Then, teachers can arrange for students to take the devices home and be able to read with a parent or sibling.
Donations still are being accepted. Email Bodenner at [email protected] for more information.