KES librarian launches online fundraiser

By Joseph Cyr
Staff Writer
    STACYVILLE — Anyone who has tried to read a book in a noisy room understands the challenges such a task presents.
    That is why Carilynn Hanson, the librarian at Katahdin Elementary School, is seeking public support to help fund a new, quiet reading area for the school’s library. Using the website “www.donorschoose.org,” Hanson is trying to raise about $700 to purchase two benches with a large platform for a designated area at school’s library.
    “Sometimes that spot isn’t very easy to find during a busy school day,” Hanson said. “It was with this thought that my students and I began looking for a quiet spot that any child could come and quietly read. The library used to be a place where they would come only once a week to hear about the great new books and choose a great book that would last them until next time. However, upon becoming the district librarian, I set a goal that would create an atmosphere where they could come during any of their free time to sit and quietly read. This opened the door to an influx of many visitors to the little nook in the corner.”
    It was with this goal in mind, that Hanson ventured to the online website DonorsChoose.org to raise funds for her project. DonorsChoose.org is an online charity that makes it easy for anyone to help students in need. Public school teachers from every corner of America post classroom project requests on the site, and individuals can give any amount to the project that inspires most.
    “The students at KES are a part of a great community of learning,” Hanson said. “We pride ourselves in doing our absolute best every day in everything we do. We work together to make learning a positive and connecting experience to create life-long learners. We are proud of our kids and they deserve the best of everything. These kids love to read and they love to find a quiet place to just escape to during the day. They love finding a place where they can explore new places that they may never visit and be introduced to characters that they may never meet. They are, in my opinion, the essence of Maine.”
    By providing students with a quiet place, Hanson hopes she will be able to help them meet that need of finding their special space to sit and read.
    “Reading is a tool that children will use for the rest of their lives and helping them practice that tool would be fantastic. I know that they would certainly love a place to sit in the quiet space and these kids definitely deserve it.”
How it works
    According to the DonorsChoose.org website, when a project reaches its funding goal, the company ships the materials to the school. Those who donate will receive photos of the project taking place, a letter from the teacher, and insight into how every dollar was spent. Those who donate more than  $50 will also receive hand-written thank yous from the students. Donations can be as little as $1.
    Projects have a time limit and if a partially funded project expires, donors will receive their donations returned as “account credits,” which they can use to choose a new project to support; have the site choose a new project for them; or send the teacher they supported a DonorsChoose.org gift card.
    All donations are tax deductible. The website is free for teachers to use.
    DonorsChoose.org has been recognized by Oprah Winfrey and Stephen Colbert as a way for projects to get the funding they need. According to the site, “It engages the public in public schools by giving people a simple, accountable and personal way to address educational inequity. We envision a nation where children in every community have the tools and experiences needed for an excellent education.”
    For more information or to donate to the cause, visit www.donorschoose.org/we-teach/1557550.