Eagle Scout book drive
to benefit Pine Street Elementary students
By Scott Mitchell Johnson
Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — Thomas Freeman, a junior at Presque Isle High School, is working on his Eagle Scout project and is asking the community for assistance.
A member of Boy Scout Troop 171, Freeman, 17, is holding a book drive that will benefit children at Pine Street Elementary School.
Staff photo/Scott Mitchell Johnson
THOMAS FREEMAN, 17, of Presque Isle, is collecting used books for kids at Pine Street Elementary School for his Eagle Scout project. Six collection boxes are located in town and residents are encouraged to donate their used children’s books that will be given to the students at Reading and Math Night in April. A member of Boy Scout Troop 171, Freeman’s goal is to collect 600 books so each of the 296 students at Pine Street will receive two books.
“I’m collecting used books for kids at Pine Street, which is grades K-2, to be distributed at Reading and Math Night which will be held in April. Almost every student attends, so hopefully every student at the school will get a book to take home with them,” said Freeman. “We’re collecting the books through collection boxes located at specific points in the community.”
Collection boxes, which are actually 18-gallon totes that were donated by Lowe’s, are located at Presque Isle Middle School, Zippel Elementary School, Mark and Emily Turner Memorial Library, as well as the Grant Memorial United Methodist Church, Presque Isle Congregational Church and the State Street Baptist Church.
Freeman said he selected Pine Street students to receive the books after reading an article in the Bangor Daily News.
“About 65 percent of fourth-graders in Maine are below grade level in reading,” he said. “The same article also stated that before third-grade children learn to read, and after third-grade children read to learn. So after they come out of this school, they should know how to read and should be using that skill to help them learn in other areas such as math, social studies or science.
“The best tool to help a child to read is easy … it’s a book,” said Freeman, “however, in this economy, I feel that parents can only pay for the essentials, and for all families, that doesn’t always include books. I’m trying — with the community’s help — to be able to donate books to every single student so they have at least one reading material and that can inspire them to read more and create a chain reaction.”
Freeman said there are 296 students at Pine Street.
“My goal is to get 600 books,” he said, “or two books for every student. I’m looking for used children’s books, or picture books.
“I’m hoping to have the books collected by late December,” said Freeman, “but if the project doesn’t go as planned, I’ll need to take the winter to regroup and see how we can get more books before April.”
Sonja Plummer-Morgan, librarian at the Turner Memorial Library, has pledged the help of librarians to help organize and sort the books.
“She’ll be able to help weed out the good quality books from the bad ones,” Freeman said, “and help organize them based on what’s appropriate for a kindergartner, a first-grader and a second-grader.”
Recognizing that many boys working toward their Eagle Scout rank do building projects, Freeman said swinging a hammer isn’t his strong suit.
“This is not a traditional Eagle Scout project,” he said. “Traditionally the Scouts build a bridge, create a trail or clean something up … something with tools that’s more hands on. I’m not really a power tool guy; I’m more of a reader and a literacy-type guy, so I decided to go with something that would have a broader affect on the community.”
While a similar book drive is under way in the Star City, Freeman said his project is “more specific and more direct.”
“It’s also in a more scholarly situation,” he said. “It’s being given to students at the school for reading that will hopefully affect them in school. It’s a way to help the school help their students.”
In addition to the donated totes, Freeman said two other businesses have supported the project.
“I got posters designed to go either on the totes or near them at the collection sites that were donated by Northern Printers,” he said. “Print Works has donated some bookmarks that are to be given out at the Turner Memorial Library. When you check out a book, you get a bookmark advertising the project and saying where to donate the books. The sponsors have been very helpful and I appreciate their support.”
Freeman said he expects to receive his Eagle Scout Award next spring or summer depending on when he meets his other requirements.
For more information on the Eagle Scout Book Drive, contact Freeman at 764-8325.
