The ability to read is critical to nearly every employment opportunity so Horizon Goodwill is reaching out to support our teachers and improve reading and language skills in the next generation of our great American workforce. Mrs. Lynn McCain and her husband, Horizon Goodwill CEO Mr. John McCain, are finding new ways to use the generous donations we receive to further support our local teachers. The list of schools being supplied with children’s books is ever growing and Horizon Goodwill Industries looks forward to a continued relationship with our local educational services.
While we all know the delight of a child with a book, the joy of experiencing a new story for the first time or reliving an old favorite, for many children this is not a reality without regular access to books at an early age. In addition many children may lack the encouragement to read and further explore literature and language. Yet along with the familiar tale of the child encouraged to read vs the child with limited access and support, there is the teacher trying their best to enrich their students with a wide range of experiences.
With our current school funding, this means that much of that enrichment and development comes out of our local teacher’s pockets so that they can provide the best experience they can for our children. At Horizon Goodwill, we try to encourage young readers with our continual offering of low priced children’s books and special events – such as the recent book sale at all of our stores.
Mrs. Lynn McCain, retired teacher and recent transplant to our area with her husband and family, is reaching out to local schools to arrange children’s book donations to teachers in need. This wonderful program was implemented first at Shepherdstown Elementary with the assistance of Lead Teacher Mr. Cary Gill. Over 650 books were given out in one day, with new teachers receiving a large donation for their classrooms of grade level appropriate children’s books. The remaining 37 books not selected by teachers were divided up between the waiting rooms and the library for students to explore during free time or while waiting for a parent or guardian.
When a book is donated to Goodwill, it provides community support in so many ways. The clerk that receives the donation, the processor that assesses it, the driver that may transport the book, the agent that prices and places it on the shelf. Children’s books that are not sold or are in abundance are then sorted by grade level and quality and are then boxed up for donation to schools like at a recent new teacher giveaway in Martinsburg, WV for Berkeley County teachers. These donated items further support our local community by providing reading materials for our amazing education departments. By presorting by grade level and bringing them to the school, we are able to save valuable time for the teachers so they aren’t traveling from store to store hunting through books to find the right ones for their classroom. We love when teachers visit us to find classroom materials but we know that search can be lengthy and we want to offer them their time back and much less out of pocket to support our children’s education.
So many of our local teachers are also our customers and we want to give something back. You teach the children of our employees, clients and associates. You are part of the first line in making sure our children receive a well-rounded start and for that Horizon Goodwill can’t thank you enough! Part of our mission is teaching job and life skills and we appreciate the foundation you provide and the encouragement you give on a daily basis.
For more information on our educational services, please visit us online or at one of our many locations.