Books For Wadena

From the Brainerd Dispatch of July 28, 2010 (www.brainerddispatch.com)

When the EF4 tornado damaged the high school on June 17, sprinklers were activated throughout the building, including those in the library. Resources instrumental to teaching and learning were lost.

Because of the unsafe structure of the building, the books remained in the high humidity of the high school for three weeks until they were removed by a specially trained crew. The books were transported to Wadena-Deer Creek Elementary School, where they were unloaded by volunteers. Unfortunately, more than 7,000 books were contaminated or damaged and unable to be saved.

As Wadena-Deer Creek School District waits for insurance information, it continues to look ahead to the upcoming school year. Instead of one library for 7th-12th graders, there will be two libraries to serve the student body, which will be split into temporary locations.

To help replace the books, the library is participating in a new online fundraising program called Funds4Books, sponsored by Mackin Educational Resources, a school library and classroom vendor with 26 years of experience.

For approximately every $15 donated, the library can purchase a new book that is ready to be shelved and checked out by students. Most importantly, 100 percent of every donation will be spent on books for the library.

To participate, donors may go to www.funds4books.com, and then log in to Wadena-Deer Creek High School's personal fundraising page with the code 2e65. From there they can donate via credit card or electronic check. For those without computer access or a credit card, the library will accept checks made out to "Funds4Books" and mailed to WDC High School, 215 Colfax Ave. S.W., Wadena, MN 56482. One hundred percent of every donation goes right to the library.
Thanks to Ike Halliwill for putting us on to this story.