Cassandra Frutos and Kaylynn Green both have a lot on their plates. They’re both completing their training in Pharmacy Technician. Kaylynn is currently scheduled part of the week at work-based learning. Cassandra is preparing to interview for a work-based learning assignment. Both students have after-hours leadership positions as well as the socializing and activities they want to participate in during their off hours. Despite all this, both Kaylynn and Cassandra have found time to volunteer and from this grew an idea.

“We’ve volunteered at an organization that collects donated children’s books,” explained Cassandra. “We take the books and clean them up so they can be given to kids who might not have books at home or who have never owned their own book.”

Inspired by their work with this organization, Kaylynn and Cassandra approached Springdale’s Business & Community Liaison Anna Snyder with an idea. “We thought it would be fun to do a book drive and  give the books to the organization,” said Kaylynn.

Anna loved the idea. “I was so excited they wanted to be more involved. I took it to our center director who thought it was great idea. The four of us met and planned it out.”

Kaylynn met with the Office Administration trade to discuss putting together fliers and bookmarks to advertise the book drive. Cassandra worked with Anna to pick sites for the drop-off boxes. “This was Cassandra and Kaylynn’s event,” said Anna. “I worked with them on scheduling and logistics, but they were really the inspiration.”

Boxes were decorated and placed at city hall and a local department store. With the donations from those locations and from staff at Springdale, Kaylynn and Cassandra collected over 100 books. “I’m so happy these books will go to kids who want to read,” Cassandra said. Kaylynn agreed. “This is so exciting!”

Center Director Naomi Ulsted is proud of these two students. “They took their experience of volunteering and grew from it,” she said. “It inspired them to get involved on their own. Giving back to the community helps our students grow in confidence and apply some of the skills they develop in training.”

We appreciate the work Kaylynn and Cassandra put toward the book drive and hope to make this a regular event at Springdale!