Fifth graders, from left to right, Simon Kastenberger, Sophia Baleeiro, Gabby Czarnecki, Callie Czarnecki and Nasi Rahman, organized a book drive to benefit area groups
A book drive organized by five fifth graders at The Bright School resulted in the collection of 1,358 gently used books that are being donated to three local organizations.
Fifth graders Gabby Czarnecki and Callie Czarnecki presented a proposal to teacher Brenda Austin for a book drive and recruited classmates Sophia Baleeiro, Simon Kastenberger and Nasi Rahman to help.
They placed collection boxes throughout the school, made a video to encourage students to bring in books and picked up the donations. Mrs. Austin and school counselor Nicole Smith contacted organizations that needed used books.
A representative from the Chattanooga Boys and Girls Club picked up an allotment of books on Friday, and the rest of the books will be distributed to the Dodson Avenue Community Health Clinic and the LEAD program at Christ United Methodist Church for East Brainerd families.
The books were collected between Feb. 17 and March 2 and included preschool picture books up to fifth grade level chapter books.