The Perfect Gift: Books for Kids

November 21, 2007

Kiley Brown
kbbrown@tulane.edu

Putting books in the hands of New Orleans children and inspiring them to read is a holiday fund-raising project that will have long lasting impact, thanks to the Community Action Council of Tulane University Students (CACTUS).

In the spirit of holiday giving, CACTUS is looking for donors and volunteers in a drive to provide books to Orleans Parish elementary school students from pre-kindergarten through second grade. CACTUS is a student-run community service organization, and the Book Giving Tree is its largest initiative of the year.

The Book Giving Tree seeks to build a relationship between Tulane and the community, with the goal of gifting 4,000 books this year.

Laura Cox, a Tulane senior and coordinator of the project, says, "Tulane students, especially freshmen and sophomores, often live in a bubble because they don't have cars to bring them off campus and into the community. Most of these students are not from Louisiana, or even the South, and they feel as if they aren't really part of the New Orleans community. I wanted students to feel closer to the city, and I wanted the city's children to feel closer to the students."

The organization plans to deliver the books in the middle of December, so donations are needed as soon as possible.

The Book Giving Tree's website allows donors to select books for purchase online, and they will be mailed directly to the project.

In addition to book donations, the project is accepting gifts of funds and wrapping paper. Volunteers also are needed to wrap and deliver books. For more information or to participate, visit www.bookgivingtree.org or email Laura Cox.  

The project began earlier this year when CACTUS mailed packets to each of the public elementary schools in Orleans Parish. The packets contained a letter of explanation to the principal and a letter for each teacher, asking them to list books that their students would like to receive for the holidays. 

Some of the most common requests from students were Dr. Seuss books, as well as titles such as The Very Hungry Caterpillar, The Polar Express, Amazing Grace, Where the Wild Things Are, Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People's Ears and Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?

This is not the first year the Book Giving Tree has been been organized by CACTUS. Prior to Hurricane Katrina, it was coordinated under the Listen, Learn and Read program, where books were read out loud and recorded onto audiocassette tapes. The tapes accompanied the books so each child could understand the pronunciation of words in the absence of a tutor or parent.

Cox, who also is a board member of CACTUS, wanted to revamp the project to reach a larger audience. She and the student volunteers are hoping that the Tulane community will reach out to young readers this holiday season.