Grant Gifts Books to Area Fourth Graders

MANKATO, Minn. (KEYC) - Every fourth grader in Blue Earth, Nicollet, Waseca and Le Sueur counties now owns their own copy of Shel Silverstein's "Where the Sidewalk Ends."

It's all thanks to the United Way and a grant from the Olseth Family Foundation.

"It's a wonderful gift that we've been given," Barb Kaus, CEO of the United Way said. "1,700 children are getting a free book of poetry."

This is the third year area students received the book, which staff says is a perfect selection.

"This book is perfect at this age because of its fun and its engagement and its figurative text, so it requires a higher level of understanding in order to comprehend what the author's intention is," Marti Sievek, ISD 77's interim director of teaching and learning, said.

"It's an opportunity for students to pick a poem that they love, that they find interesting, and share it with family and friends," he added.

Kaus says giving out the books is always a rewarding experience.

"When they respond back and say 'This book is mine? I get to take it home?' And then they hug and they hold it tight. It's just an overwhelming, heart-filling moment for us and the Olseth Family Foundation for their dollars going to all these beautiful children," she said.

The Olseth Family Foundation’s mission is to improve communities through support of the arts, education, the environment and the underserved.

Copyright 2019 KEYC. All rights reserved.