The Hope College chapter of the Mortar Board national collegiate honor society is collecting books and funds for Holland East Elementary School during its annual fall book drive.
The chapter will be collecting gently-used K-7 books and also donations during each of the four home athletic contests taking place during Homecoming Weekend on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 17 and 18. The events include the volleyball game with Albion College on Friday, Oct. 17, at 6:30 p.m. at the DeVos Fieldhouse; the women’s soccer game with Olivet College on Saturday, Oct. 18, at noon at Van Andel Soccer Stadium; the football game with Olivet College on Saturday, Oct. 18, at 2 p.m. at Ray and Sue Smith Stadium; and the men’s soccer game with Calvin College on Saturday, Oct. 18, at 7 p.m. at Van Andel Soccer Stadium. There will be tables located near the entrance of the stadiums before each game starts and through halftime to deposit the books.
In addition, the chapter is collecting financial donations through the end of October to purchase books for the school through First Book, a national literary nonprofit. All donations will be deposited to First Book, which will allow Holland East Elementary staff and faculty to purchase books at discounted rates using the organization’s services. Checks may be made payable to “Hope College Mortar Board” with “First Book” written in the memo and mailed to Hope College Mortar Board; Advancement Services; PO Box 9000; Holland, MI 49422-9000. Donations may also be made electronically by visiting http://supporters.firstbook.org/goto/MortarBoardHomecomingBookDrive.
Last year, the Hope College Alcor Chapter collected nearly $12,000 to provide new books for Woodside Elementary School, and three years ago the chapter raised a record $15,000 for Jefferson Elementary. Through the years, the chapter has received multiple “Project Excellence Awards” for the drive during the national Mortar Board conference held each summer.