RVMS students collect books for KVC Kansas
A group of Royal Valley Middle School students organized a book drive and collected 300 books for area children placed in foster homes.
Sixth-grade students Paige Weddle, Marissa Jackson, Sondra Priest and Jessica Marney held the book drive at the school for a week and a half.
They encouraged their peers to donate books to KVC Kansas by hosting a competition between the fifth and sixth-grade classes. The class with the most donated books was rewarded with candy. Teachers also gave away some of their favorite books.
Weddle organized a similar book drive for KVC last year, and students donated 600 books.
“We want to make a difference, and we hope that these books make children feel they are in a safe environment,” Weddle said.
The girls presented several boxes full of books on Friday afternoon to KVC community resource specialists Rachel Moran and Alex Eichman. All four girls say they are avid readers, and some of their favorite books include “Dork Diaries,” “Radiance,” “Smile” and “Drama.”
Moran explained that KVC Kansas is a non-profit organization responsible for the care of all children served by the Kansas Department for Children and Families’ Kansas City Metro and Eastern Regions, which includes Jackson County.
“We contract with foster parents and those wanting to adopt,” Moran said. “We provide the resources that they need, such as diapers, clothes and books.”
KVC Kansas has been operating for 45 years, and Moran said that they give away many books around Christmas.
“We have a nice library set up where people can come and choose books,” she said.
The organization is based in Olathe but has 15 satellite offices.
Moran and Eichman said its inspiring to see young people wanting to help those in foster care.
“This is wonderful,” Moran said of the donated books. “It just shows us that this is a great school. These girls are very mature, and their teachers are teaching them good things.”
KVC Kansas is always seeking residents to serve as foster parents, Moran said, especially for Holton children. Foster parents are also needed in rural areas in the county.
“We’re always looking for loving homes,” she said. “It’s an ongoing need.”
Anyone interested in becoming a foster parent or volunteering with KVC are encouraged to call Mitch Beemer at 785-409-6953.
