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Local education group makes sure books are available

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Photo by Bill Olmsted

Before heading off for work, Erin Loveland reads a book to her two children Elliot (l) and Kelsie. The book and the bookcase behind the trio was donated to the young family by the Alpha Iota chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma. The group has made other similar donations to the House of Mercy and the YWCA.

JANESVILLE — Erin Loveland and her children read books every day, usually at bedtime.

But without the gift of books and a bookshelf from a group of local educators, Loveland admits her family most likely wouldn't have the literary works that bring so much joy into her home.

"I don't buy a lot of books. Normally, I go to the library or borrow from my mom and step dad," said the single mother of two preschoolers.

Loveland received her gift from the Alpha Iota chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma during the April house blessing of her Janesville Rock County Habitat for Humanity home.

"I'm extremely appreciative of this donation," she said.

"Literacy is probably the most important in education. Reading does a lot for the imagination, teaches good vocabulary, and you can just gain general knowledge. It's always been important to me that my kids have good books," Loveland said.

It's important for members of the Alpha Iota local chapter, too.

"Our reason for getting together is to support women in teaching, education legislation and to make sure children have the best opportunities in education," said Linda Edwards, a retired reading specialist and member of the chapter.

"We try to support that by volunteering in the schools and doing projects that help children with reaching their maximum potential as far as education," she said of the nearly 50-member group.

Chapter member Jean Schollmeier agreed: "A goal of our local chapter is to support children's quest for knowledge and educational experiences with their family regardless of their economic status or life situation."

For several years, Alpha Iota has donated books to Head Start, the YWCA Transitional Living Program, House of Mercy and new Habitat for Humanity homeowners.

Members also have donated school supplies and personal care kits to ECHO and the YWCA and participated in the Family Resource Book Bag project at Jefferson Elementary School. In addition, they've sponsored a book-writing and -illustrating contest for third- through eighth-graders in Janesville schools.

"As you can see, we hold a great deal of value in literacy and are doing what we can to promote it here," Schollmeier said.

Edwards wrote a grant to the Delta Kappa Gamma International Education Foundation requesting $3,200 and got $2,000 in June to be used specifically for books and shelves. So far, she said, more than half of that money has been used.

Edwards has written another request for another chapter book project.

"I've asked for money to replace and add to the books because we found there was an increased need for Spanish and bilingual books," she said.

"Families are falling apart, right now, because of stress," she said. And, "we don't want to lose support for their educational needs."