‘Have a Heart Read-a-Thon’ Raises Thousands

Springhurst Elementary students read to their heart’s content this Valentine’s Day to raise money to increase learning opportunities for needy students.

The school’s 700 kindergarten through fifth grade students raised more than $2,700 during Thursday’s “Have a Heart Read-a-Thon” for the non-profit organization Pencils of Promise. 

“The mission of Pencils of Promise is to build schools and increase educational opportunities in less fortunate communities around the world,” said Springhurst Principal Julia Drake. “Springhurst students are learning that many children do not get the opportunity to go to school and receive an education, something many of us take for granted.” 

During the event students lined the halls of the school and read together for 20 minutes, while parents sponsored their children by making donations and filling out a pledge form. Anne Quick, the librarian at Dobbs Ferry Public Library, brought her Greyhound “Too Tall” to the event, as well. Too Tall, a certified reading education assistance dog (R.E.A.D) and a therapy dog, was on hand to help calm nervous readers’ anxieties about reading out loud or slowly.

Springhurst’s second graders raised $2,000 during last year’s event, enough to educate 75 children for one year. Drake said this year’s event could not have been possible without the efforts of Springhurst Library Sue Frey and fourth grade teacher Janet Foresti.

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