Harvest United Methodist Church brings 200 books to Samoset Elementary

MANATEE -- Keeping a library up and running means going to more sources for books than just the state. With a recent donation from Harvest United Methodist Church, media specialist Terri Rohde at Samoset Elementary School has worked hard to help her students.

Since Rohde works with many students from low-income families, they don't have a lot of books at home, which means the library books take on a lot of wear and tear. Ordering books through state vendors can cost up to $25 apiece, which means Rohde is always on the hunt for grants, donations or other sources to replace some of the most-loved books. The state allocation for books is based on student enrollment.

"It's not so much the number, it's the cost," Rohde said. "I get two little boxes of books."

Through the state allocation, grants through Manatee Education Foundation and First Books, and the donation of 200 books Wednesday from the TuesdayLIVE! women's Bible study group, Rohde said she is well on her way to a major overhaul of the books in her system.

"I've had a good year," she said. "My collection is so old and so tattered. I need about three more years like this to get my collection up to speed."

It's a problem Rohde said she and other media specialists, especially those working in Title I schools, face each year. When the women's group reached out to offer help, Rohde had some specific book titles in mind to replace. High-flyers such as "Diary of Wimpy Kid," "Dork Diaries" and "Dr. Seuss" are in such high demand that many copies end up in Rohde's back room to be nursed back to life.

For the last month and a half, Harvest United Methodist Church has

been encouraging members in the Bible study group to buy or bring in books. There are approximately 85 members, said Melissa Gurchiek, a former principal in Indiana who helped lead the effort.

Gurchiek was joined Wednesday by Cissia Angelo, a longtime Samoset volunteer, and Debbie Lewis, who said it was one of her first times getting involved in the school like this. Making such a difference in the school was a positive feeling for all those involved, they said, and it helps those in the community learn about the problems schools face.

"It was a real eye opener for me," Lewis said.

Gurchiek said she knows how important it is for the community to get involved to help schools like Samoset. After counting the books Tuesday afternoon, Gurchiek put out a note to members of the club, hoping for a last-ditch effort to rally more supplies.

"I just put out a note and said, 'Can't we get just 15 more?'" she said.

It worked. The three women were able to bring 200 books total to Samoset. Rohde estimated it would take her two and a half year's worth of state money to do that.

Rohde will now catalogue and organize all donated books before placing them to the shelves.

The church also gives a $10 voucher to every Samoset student during the annual scholastic book fair, provides funds and supplies to send backpacks with food home to students each weekend and helps keep a food pantry stocked at the school.

"Doing this, it just makes you feel good and it makes you feel like you want to do more," Angelo said.

This story was originally published April 13, 2016 at 11:49 PM with the headline "Harvest United Methodist Church brings 200 books to Samoset Elementary ."