WAPAKONETA, Ohio (WLIO) — Hundreds of elementary school students across the Wapakoneta City School District received new books Wednesday, thanks to a local service organization committed to supporting youth literacy.
Members of the Wapak Breakfast Optimist Club distributed books to every kindergarten through fourth-grade student in the district. Children were able to select a title they were interested in from a list, and club members personally delivered the books to schools.
Children were able to select a title they were interested in from a list, and club members personally delivered the books to schools.
Students eagerly opened their new books as soon as they received them, a moment organizers say continues to inspire their efforts year after year.
“Anytime they get something, it's theirs to keep. You know, they can take it with them, share it with some of their other friends, whatever they may be, but I just like to see the expression on their face and and I tell you what you come from small towns, these kids still have a lot of gratitude. You know, they're very thankful. And they get something, they appreciate it,” said Tom Vehorn, past president of the Wapak Breakfast Optimist Club.
The organization, whose motto is “Friend of Youth,” says the annual book giveaway is just one of many initiatives aimed at enriching the lives of children throughout the community.
