The Hope College chapter of the Mortar Board national collegiate honor society is collecting books and funds for Great Lakes Elementary School during its annual fall book drive.
The chapter will be collecting gently-used K-7 books and also donations during two home athletic contests taking place during Homecoming Weekend on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 23 and 24. The events include the hockey game at Edge Arena on Friday, Oct. 23, at 7:30 p.m. and the football game with Alma College on Saturday, Oct. 24, at 6 p.m. at Ray and Sue Smith 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 Great Lakes 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 the website.
Last year, the Hope College Alcor Chapter collected nearly $12,000 to provide new books for Holland East Elementary School, and four 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.