Cheering for books at Walter G. Byers Elementary
The gift of reading
Sterling Elementary students receive a special delivery
Sterling Elementary
students received a
special delivery on Oct.
9 when employees from
Subaru of South Charlotte
brought 150 brand new
books to the school’s
media center.
“The dealership has
been a great partner
for us,” said Partnership
Coordinator Bridgette
Schuch. “Their donation
couldn’t have come at a
better time since our focus
is on literacy and the North Star Reading Program (NSRP).”
Subaru provided a list of books to school staff so they could choose the
Carolina Panthers cornerback Bené Benwikere helped United Way of
books that best fit the students’ needs. Over the last few months, whenever
Central Carolinas kick off its annual fundraising campaign on Sept. 22 at
a car was sold, the salesperson would fill out a special book tag and place it
Walter G. Byers Elementary.
inside each book.
Benwikere, the Panthers’ new United Way ambassador, spoke to about
“We know our schools need all the support they can get,” said Subaru
300 kindergarten, first-, second -and third-graders, then helped distribute
Sales Manager John Baker. “It’s nice to be able to share with our neighbors.”
books for each student to take home. The books – as well as book nooks
Subaru employees received thank you cards and a thank you banner from
for all 12 kindergarten-second grade classrooms at Byers – were the result
students that will be displayed at the dealership.
of a fundraiser by United Way’s African American Leadership Initiative this
“We wrote the word thank you 150 times on our banner to represent
summer. Benwikere encouraged students to take advantage of the new books the 150 books,” said Literacy Facilitator Dawn Florian. “The children were so
and read for 35 minutes every night.
excited about getting new books.”
“Graduation is your Super Bowl,” said Benwikere.
Principal Jo Shirley said the community partners that support CMS are
Students cheered at the end of the assembly, when United Way
essential. “At Sterling, we have more than 800 students who are in need,”
volunteers gave them each a new book to take home.
said Shirley. “To be able to send a child home with a book means so much. It
“Every single person in this room wants to see you succeed,” said
takes a whole city and we are thankful.”
Principal Anthony Calloway. “We want you to read every day.”
John Papadopulos, United Way’s 2015 campaign chair, said the United
Nearly 100 years in the making
Way has a $22 million fundraising target for this year and hitting that target
CMS dedicated Newell Elementary on Oct. 7
will help CMS.
“My goal is to help you reach your goals,” Papadopulos told the audience.
Newell Elementary School’s original facility was built in the early 1900s
“When we hit our fundraising goal, we can increase graduation, reduce
when the Newell community
homelessness and solve other challenges here in our community. Today each
was part of rural Charlotte.
child leaves with a book to enjoy, and hopefully a little m