Shelves filling up at Family Resource Center library

Cape Girardeau teachers could think of no better way to make a difference in the community than turning an empty room into a fully stocked library for disadvantaged children.

That's the goal members of the Community Teachers Association have been working toward for the past month in honor of today's national Make A Difference Day, an annual challenge to individuals and organizations to help others.

On Friday, CTA representatives delivered several boxes of books and around $1,000 for shelving to the Family Resource Center at 1202 S. Sprigg St. The idea came from a visit to the resource center, where a room was designated as a library but was virtually empty.

"We want to fill an entire wall with books," said CTA president Debbie Lusk, a teacher at Central High School.

Sarah Corbin, an AmeriCorp Vista worker who oversees the afterschool program at the center, said the center hasn't been able to supply the variety of books children need.

"We have a lot of kids in the neighborhood who live far away from any books and they don't have transportation," said Corbin. "The Family Resource Center is in a really good location for the neighborhood and these books will provide a wonderful resource."

Books and money for the shelves were donated by teachers as well as community members. The CTA asked contributors to inscribe books with a message explaining why the book is important.

"Hopefully, they can have their own story hour now and that might generate some interest in that area. We need to get these kids reading," said Lusk.

The CTA's project has also helped arrange a weekly story hour with a librarian from Cape Girardeau Public Library at the center.

cclark@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 128