Photo Credit: CFISDNews
Barkley’s Bookshelf, CenterPoint Energy Foundation donate books to Lee ES students
Representatives from Barkley’s Bookshelf and CenterPoint Energy Foundation visited Lee Elementary School on Sept. 16-17 to host a free book fair for students.
Barkley’s Bookshelf partners with individuals, businesses and community service organizations to collect books for distribution through schools and nonprofits for children to develop a passion for reading through book ownership. Students can choose a free grade-level district-approved book to take home and own forever.
Brenda Polivka, founder and president of Barkley’s Bookshelf, shared her passion for starting the organization and providing books to children through school donations.
“We started this organization in March of 2022 because we saw a need of children who did not have books in their homes to practice their reading skills,” Polivka said. “To be able to donate 825 books to Lee Elementary School and see the joy that the children have when they select a book that they get to keep forever brings us joy as well.”
CenterPoint Energy Foundation also presented Barkley’s Bookshelf with a $15,000 grant to help fund book fairs to continue to provide free books to students in Title I schools and non-profits throughout the CFISD area.
Olivia Koch, program manager at CenterPoint Energy, shared her excitement for partnering with Barkley’s Bookshelf to provide books for CFISD students.
“We are thrilled to partner with Barkley’s Bookshelf for the third year to fund some of their book distributions,” Koch said. “One of our giving pillars for our CenterPoint Energy Foundation is education in literacy and we are excited to see and experience all of the work that they are doing in this community.”
Lauree Johnson, principal at Lee, expressed her gratitude to Barkley’s Bookshelf and CenterPoint Energy Foundation for donating books to students.
“For Lee Elementary students, receiving free books through Barkley’s Bookshelf is more than just getting something to read—Its an opportunity to grow as learners and to develop a lifelong love for reading,” Johnson said. “The presence of volunteers who helped make this donation possible shows students that their community values their education and sends the message that reading and learning matter.”
For more information about Barkley’s Bookshelf, visit their website at barkleysbookshelf.org.
Source: CFISD
