The upcoming school year presents plenty of challenges to the students and staff of Wadena-Deer Creek High School.
In the aftermath of the tornado that damaged the building on June 17, resources instrumental to teaching and learning were lost. In particular, the school's collection of library books and materials is one area needing replenishment.
When the EF4 tornado inflicted its damage on the high school, sprinklers were activated throughout the building, including the library.
Due to the unsafe structure of the building, the books remained in the high humidity of the high school for three weeks until a specially trained crew removed them.
The books were trans-ported to Wadena-Deer Creek Elementary School, where volunteers unloaded them. Unfortunately, over 7,000 books were contami-nated or damaged and could not be saved.
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As Wadena-Deer Creek School District waits for in-surance information, it con-tinues 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 SW, Wadena, MN 56482.
"The fact that 100 percent of every donation comes right to the library is truly amazing and sets it far apart from other fundraising programs. Even more importantly, the books are labeled and shipped for free and it doesn't require staff or volunteer time." said Loni Niles, the district's school librarian. "If everyone gives a little, we can reach our goal of $10,000."
Mackin Educational Resources, located in Burnsville, Minnesota, created the new fundraising pro-gram in response to nation-wide school budget cuts and a struggling economy.
Mackin works with librarians to analyze their inventory and determine what additional books should be purchased to effectively meet the unique needs of the school's students and faculty.
