Project Inkslinger Requests Books for California School

Posted in National Mensa on June 7, 2006

American Mensa’s Project Inkslinger coordinator, Michael Paul Beetham, has sent out a request for childrens’ books donations. Hopland Elementary School in Hopland, California, was completely closed as a result of the New Year’s flooding, and thousands of book were lost.

If you have even one book to donate, Michael says it will be welcomed. They are asking for books that are developmentally appropriate for ages 4 to 11. Suggestions from his email include: “Science, poetry, all the good stuff. Lots of picture books. Books about horses, farm animals, gardens, and nature. Books with Native American and Latino themes. Books in English, or Spanish, or bilingual. Classics as well as contemporary. And those series that children love like the Goosebumps, Animorphs, Babysitters Club, Series of Unfortunate Events, Harry Potter, etc.”

Click ‘Read More’ for Michael’s full email, including the address for donating books. Let’s help these guys out!

Dear Mensans,

Hopland Elementary School in Hopland, California (NW part of the State) was the only school in the State that was completely closed as a result of the New Year’s flooding. Thousands of book were lost. The school is scheduled to reopen this September after extensive repair. Amy Wachspress of Redwood Empire Mensa has asked if we can help replace the school library books for the children.

Hopland Elementary is a small rural community school with about 170 students in grades K-6, plus a preschool. It serves a highly Native American and Latino population. After the flooding the children joined in, wearing rubber gloves and big gum boots, to cart the ruined books out to the dumpster in radio flyer wagons. Amy said it was heartbreaking.

Please let your members know, and ask them to send books for the children. Books should be developmentally appropriate for ages 4 to 11. Science, poetry, all the good stuff. Lots of picture books. Books about horses, farm animals, gardens, and nature. Books with Native American and Latino themes. Books in English, or Spanish, or bilingual. Classics as well as contemporary. And those series that children love like the Goosebumps, Animorphs, Babysitters Club, Series of Unfortunate Events, Harry Potter, etc. Well, just about everything!

New or gently used books would be nice. Even one would be welcome. If you send many, please limit each box weight to 30 lbs maximum. Check with carriers for book shipping rate.

Send books to:

Hopland School/Warehouse
130 Fircrest Ave.
Ukiah, CA 95482

My thanks to Amy, and to John Recht (RVC8) and Walt Bodley (LocSec, REM) for already communicating with Region 8 on this matter.

Respectfully,
Michael Paul Beetham
Project Inkslinger coordinator