ONEIDA (WLUK) — Hundreds of students at Oneida Nation Elementary School have new books to read over the holiday break.
Book fair day is always a big day, but it was even more special this year after the Green Bay Packers donated over 2,400 books to the school and its students.
Packers players encourage literacy with reading events at Green Bay, Oneida schools (WLUK)
“Reading, to me, means that it’s very imaginary for me, and I like reading because it puts pictures in my mind and it makes a book come to life for me,” said sixth grader Eliia White.
On Monday, students in pre-K through eighth grade got to shop for books that peaked their interests.
According to Principal Tracy Christensen, “They got to choose what they wanted to read. So now, they have three books for the winter break that they can read and have that opportunity to continue their education, even over break.”
The Packers not only bought each student their three books, but the team also provided an additional 250 books to the school.
“The Big Cheese” was a popular choice, as it was one of two books read to students by Green Bay Packers players Lecitus Smith and Dalton Cooper.
Smith read “The Big Cheese” and Cooper tackled “Hope is a Rainbow.”
“Just to be able to come in and read to the young kids, I know they’ll never forget it. They’re going to cherish this moment forever. And I hope it inspires them to come in the library and school library and pick up books, if they don’t already,” said Smith.
Oneida Nation Elementary School held its annual book fair. The Green Bay Packers buying three books for every student in pre-K through 8th grade, as well as, donating another 250 books to the school. (WLUK)
Reading is fundamental. It doesn’t matter if you’re into something cheesy or hopeful — there’s always something to gain with a book in your hand.
Smith said, “To the kids, I mean, they have a future. I mean, what’s a world? What’s this country alone without books? So, just putting a book in the kids’ hands and into the future’s hands — I mean, come on.”
In addition to reading to kids at Oneida Nation Elementary School, Smith and Cooper also took their reading talents to Doty Elementary School in Green Bay.