HARLINGEN — It was just a quick trip to Pharr to pick up some books.
Rosie Miller, library media specialist at Bonham Elementary, was expecting to pick up about 600 books through a grant from the Molina Foundation last month.
What she found when she arrived left her dumbfounded: more than 1,100 books in 45 boxes, courtesy of the Molina Foundation.
“To my amazement, this is what I received this year,” she said, standing in a back room where she stored the boxes.
“Take a look at this,” Miller said excitedly, pulling out a copy of “Cinderella” cloaked in refreshing blue.
The Molina Foundation is a national nonprofit organization focused on reducing disparities in access to education and health. Since its inception in 2004, The Molina Foundation has worked with more than 2,000 organizations and schools, donating more than 3 million books and hosting programs for educators and families.
Miller first learned of The Molina Foundation last year when she received an email inviting her to apply for a grant of books. She did apply and was approved for about 600 books.
“We received some activity books, coloring books, pre-K, paperback books, Disney characters,” she said.
Part of the approval process included at-risk children in low-income households.
A smile swept across her face as she reflected on the children receiving the books this year when Santa visits each room. It will be a big surprise for them, she said.
She began looking through the books again.
“They are gorgeous,” she said, now displaying “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.”
“These are some real Disney books,” she said.
A dark glistening maroon Star Wars book revealed a brooding Darth Vader.
Santa Claus is expected to deliver the books before Christmas.
“Our hope is that our students can start their own home libraries,” Miller said. “Many don’t have the opportunity.”
They’ll definitely have the opportunity this Christmas to read plenty of books. This week was the school’s book fair, in which children filled the library and made purchases from a broad selection.
