Holmes families donate books, volunteer at Bernie's Book Bank

Students from Holmes Middle School collected more than 2,300 books during a recent drive to support Bernie's Book Bank. The collection culminated in an outing to Bernie's Book Bank warehouse where students, families, and teachers from across Community Consolidated School District 21 sorted and organized the donated books.

"We're so proud of our students who continually fulfill our school's mission to 'Do well, do good,'" said Martin Hopkins, principal of Holmes Middle School. "Our building-wide goal of collecting 1,500 books was far surpassed thank to our students' dedication."

Students, parents, and staff from Cooper Middle School, Holmes Middle School, London Middle School, Poe Elementary School, and Riley Elementary School all participated in the volunteer effort on Saturday, February 18. Together, the 55 volunteers sorted donated books into collections of age-appropriate and leveled books.

"It took a village to make this happen," said Jodi Greenspan, Literacy & Information Coach at Holmes Middle School. "Families from all across District 21 came together as a community to provide books for children who wouldn't otherwise have access."

Bernie's Book Bank will deliver the books to low-income families throughout the Chicagoland area.