Information: Michelle Manganiello, mmango044@gmail.com
An avid reader and book collector, Michelle Manganiello, 17, took her love for books to help other kids in her neighborhood find their love for reading.
She built a mini-library for kids in the after-school program at Esther Jackson Elementary School in Roswell, which is also a Title I school.
“I specifically chose a Title I school, and wanted the book nook to serve the kids in the Star House after-school program. I collected books, made shelving, spent many hours setting up the book nook with the teachers and my project leader,” said Manganiello.
The Star House program at Esther Jackson provides an after school tutoring and mentoring program for at-risk children. Program volunteers assist with homework, school projects, test preparation, and good study habits. There are approximately 50 students from grades K-5 in the Star House program.
Spreading the idea of service, she is now getting volunteers from her school, Centennial High, to go the elementary school to read to the children on a regular basis. This act of giving back is also giving the students at Esther Jackson a chance to interact with positive role models in the community.
“Our students love interacting with high school volunteers. Michelle is not only a positive social role model for our elementary students, but she also spends time reading with students to model strong academic motivation,” said Principal Jennifer Cassidy.
To continue making an impact for the students of Esther Jackson, Manganiello seeks donations for the book nook and volunteers for reading to the children.
“Many of these kids’ reading skills have improved which inspires me to continue making the book nook better,” said Manganiello. “Reading and writing is important and the project has furthered the cause in a little community in Roswell.”
The book nook is also a part of Manganiello’s Gold Award project for Girl Scouts.
In other news: DaVita East DeKalb Dialysis and DaVita Mountain Park Dialysis centers each presented Project Open Hand with $1,000 checks as part of the "DaVita Way of Giving," the company's locally focused charitable giving initiative that helps nonprofit organizations throughout the United States grow and thrive.
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