Nursery school ensures book drive is a success

DOWNEY - Downey Federal Credit Union has sponsored a November brook drive to benefit Downey elementary school students for the last seven years and, once again, the credit union recently received a pleasant surprise from a neighboring school.For the second consecutive year, Margot Villa, director of Downey United Methodist Nursery School, encouraged students to contribute books to help other children. The donation from children and their parents made a "huge difference" in the number of books donated to Old River Elementary School, the credit union's second adopt-a-school. "Thanks to the generosity of Downey United Methodist Nursery School, the number of books collected increased from 70 to 170 new books, suitable for children ages 5 to 10 years old," credit union officials said. The nursery school children, accompanied by their parents and teachers, dropped the books into a collection bin. The book donations created quite a line-up of well-wishers at the credit union's front entrance at New and 3rd streets. Kirby Kangaroo, the credit union's youth account mascot, greeted the children as they made their donations. "Downey United Methodist Nursery School, DFCU members and staff have truly embraced the gift of reading by donating books for others," said Kari Johnson, the credit union's community education and development representative. "By providing books for well-deserving Downey youth, the credit union helps children learn to read, the first and most important step in learning." "The children understand the spirit of giving and helping those less fortunate than themselves in the community," Villa added.

********** Published: December 20, 2012 - Volume 11 - Issue 36