FeedCCDS class of 2014 Book Drive
In February of this year, the CCDS class of 2014 held a book drive within the Upper School. Spearheading the project was then-freshman Olivia Schwartz. Over the course of ten days, the freshman class collected over 300 books, which they donated to The Literacy Network of Greater Cincinnati. The Literacy Network (LNGC) serves the over 288,000 people in the greater Cincinnati area who require basic reading abilities. The LNGC arranges tutors and books for the people they serve, a cause which inspired Olivia.
Olivia has been connected to the LNGC for some time, she explained. “My mom volunteers with them, and for my bat mitzvah I donated all of my money to the Literacy Network, because I’ve always believed that reading is so important,” said Olivia. When the class of 2014 was looking for a class project, she jumped at the chance to promote the LNGC. “We chose the Literacy Network because we thought that would be really helpful, and CCD has a great opportunity to serve. We have books in our houses and a library at school, but really take those books from granted,” Olivia said. “If you don’t have the skills to read you miss out on so many opportunities… and you really can’t get anywhere your whole life.”
Once the class had picked their project, they announced it to the CCDS community. From February 1st through the 10th, they accepted books donated by anyone in the community who felt inclined to give. Their reminded the school frequently and hyped the drive all until the end, and reaped the rewards of a job well done.
Olivia’s favorite memory of the project was its end. When a representative from the literacy network arrived at CCDS to collect the books that had been donated, “she was totally knocked out, she just thought it was great,” said Olivia. “Our class had also made a kind of documentary about the book drive and how important books are today, and she just thought that all our work was really good and it was really rewarding to see her excitement.” Olivia pushed for a cause she believes in, had great success, served hundreds of people and felt the pride making a permanent difference in people’s lives.
