Dearborn Heights, MI – As part of National Make A Difference Day efforts, celebrated on October 22, families of Dearborn Heights Montessori Center (DHMC) helped to provide a total of 570 books for needy children in the Detroit metro area.
Books and funds to purchase books were collected for DHMC’s Make a Difference Day literacy project. Families were invited to donate new books or purchase books through a week-long Scholastic Book Fair held at the school’s campus.
Sixth grade students, Danielle Makki, at left, and Amber Stockinger display two of the books collected during Dearborn Heights Montessori’s 'Make A Difference Day' literacy project.
Scholastic donated 414 books, one book for every dollar collected, to one of three charities including the Marine’s Toys for Tots, Kids in Need Foundation and Children in Distressed Situations, Inc. In addition, students placed new books in a special collection bin for the Family Literacy Project, a Detroit area program that provides books and literacy services to needy children from birth to age 18.
Children were also encouraged to inscribe books with a gift message or short note to give them a sense of personal involvement.
“The Family Literacy Project is one of several community service efforts that our students participate in throughout the year,” said Kay Neff, DHMC’s founder. “Our Parents Association also provided tremendous support with these literacy initiatives by sponsoring both the Scholastic Book Fair and Family Literacy Night.”
Family Literacy Night is the school’s celebration of reading, and this year’s theme was “Reading Is Out of This World.”
Preschooler Luis Rodriguez checks out the book donations with his aunt, Christina Iaquinta.
About Dearborn Heights Montessori Center
Dearborn Heights Montessori Center (DHMC) is a non-profit educational community founded in 1972. Celebrating its 40th anniversary year, DHMC is the largest and longest-established Montessori school in western Wayne County. Programs include toddler, preschool, kindergarten, elementary, and middle school as well as summer programs and academic tutoring. Day care and latchkey are also available for enrolled children. DHMC has received accreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and is affiliated with the American Montessori Society, Michigan Montessori Society, and the Association of Independent Michigan Schools (AIMS). DHMC toddler, preschool, day care and latchkey programs, along with its satellites Livonia Montessori Center and Plymouth-Canton Montessori School, are licensed by the Michigan Division of Child and Adult Licensing. More information is available at .