NMCC Passes Out Children’s Books at Holiday Light Parade For 10th Year

Students and staff from Northern Maine Community College bundled up to distribute thousands of children's books during Presque Isle’s Holiday Light Parade on December 7.

For the past ten years, this community service activity has helped to enrich the lives of  young children in the area.

NMCC collected nearly 5,000 books from local businesses and individuals including Chris and Cindy Johnson, owners of The Cubby,  Sue Cook, Sue Willett, Judy Walton, Ava Phair and Ken Keaton, as well as a large donation of books from the University of Maine at Presque Isle and ReEnergy Fort Fairfield prior to the parade.

“Several students, instructors and employees volunteered countless hours collecting, cleaning and sorting the books months prior to the event,” said organizer Colleen Harmon. “A few instructors offered extra credit points and students were able to participate in a community service project that allowed them to see the true value in giving.”

Central Aroostook ARC donated the use of one of their buses to transport the books during the parade and Star City IGA delivered several of their grocery carts to help volunteers distribute the books.

The NMCC community will be collecting more books during the year ahead for the 2014 parade with the goal of encouraging smiles and learning for area children.  For information on donating books, call Colleen Harmon at 768-2732.