Schools will
be closed for the Presidents Day holiday on Monday, Feb. 18, but 14 Mansfield
Senior High athletes will volunteer their time to encourage young children to
read. The Tygers
will participate in the Big Red Bookshelf Event from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the
Richland Carrousel in downtown Mansfield.
The Big Red
Bookshelf, an initiative of United Way of Richland County, provides new or
gently used books to children up to third grade. Donated books are displayed on
bright red bookshelves built by volunteers and distributed free of charge to
children who need them.
The Richland
Carrousel event will feature a reading of the book “Groovey Joe,” with a copy
provided to each child. Free lunch and free carrousel rides will be provided.
Tyger
athletes who have volunteered to help include Addyson VanHouten, Sarah Wayman,
Joshua Lyons, Karmen Peterson, Aiden Crider, Kelsi Spayde, Alexia Gerber,
Abygale Wilcox, Mikayla Gibson, Alyssa Debo, Ben Miller and Cameron Todd.
Anthony Olivieri and Ben Olivieri will participate if swimming is finished.
Books placed
at Big Red Bookshelf sites are donated by businesses and community members.
Since February 2013, more than 8,500 books have been distributed, according to
the United Way website.
Bookshelf
locations include:
Bellville
Neighborhood Outreach Center
Lucas
Community Center
Mansfield/Ontario/Richland
County Health Department WIC Office
Mansfield
YMCA – Fran’s Daycare
Oak Wood
Crossing
Richland
County Children Services
Richland
County Child Support
Richland
County Job and Family Services
Shelby
Rotary
Anyone
interested in hosting a book drive may contact the United Way office at
419-525-2816.