BULLHEAD CITY – As the Bullhead City School District winds down its school year this week, students at Diamondback Elementary School have an additional way to keep up their important reading skills while still enjoying their vacations.  Thanks to a book drive fundraiser, including corporate and community support, each of Diamondback’s 380 students – from pre-kindergarten through fourth grade – received at least two free age-appropriate books to take home.

“Seeing the students cheering makes it all worthwhile,” said Diamondback’s media/technology teacher and librarian, Charity Lawrence.  She noted that when children start their own personal libraries at home and read over the summer, they are better prepared when school starts again.

Diamondback’s “Book Blast” raised $15,652 – enough for 1,296 new books.  The largest business contribution was a $500 donation from Dot Foods in Bullhead City.  Students were encouraged to invite family and friends to support the drive, which in turn helps with grade-appropriate fundamentals of reading and literacy.  Students who raised more than the basic thresholds received additional books from Book Blast’s parent, Books Are Fun, which has worked with the Bullhead City School District for a number of years.

There was also a fundraising competition, awarding $100 Book Blast shopping sprees for the students with the highest contributions in each grade level and $200 for the highest contributions at the school.  Teachers weren’t left out either – a $100 Book Blast shopping spree for each teacher who had a 60% class participation, and a $200 spree for 100% class participation.  The incentives are covered by Books Are Fun.

Lawrence added that she has even bigger plans for next year’s Book Blast: a fundraiser large enough to buy at least threebooks for each Diamondback student.