LAMORINDA WEEKLY | Burton Valley students raise money for Shelter Inc.


Students from Cathy Martinsen's fourth- and fifth-grade class at Burton Valley Elementary School present a check for Shelter Inc. Photo provided

A long-standing tradition, the Book Bonanza is the annual community service project put on by the AIM class at Burton Valley Elementary School in Lafayette. Every year, the students from Cathy Martinsen's fourth and fifth grade class collect, price, and, of course, sell books . at incredibly low prices (some books are as cheap as 10 cents). All proceeds go to a charitable cause, and this year the students chose to support Shelter, Inc. of Contra Costa County.

Founded in 1986, the mission of Shelter Inc. is to prevent and end homelessness for low-income residents by providing resources that lead to self-sufficiency. The organization helps to rebuild lives, one family at a time, by giving these people a home, the skills, and the resources to live the life they deserve. The whole class banded together to complete each step in the process, and after three weeks of collecting and pricing, the two-day sale was on.

Classes from the Burton Valley community came to support the AIM class by buying books, homemade bookmarks and origami, and dropping money in the donation jar. After the frenzy, the students counted their change bags and were thrilled to realize they had raised $1652.57.

The students happily presented a check to Allyson Schloming of Shelter, Inc. the week before winter break. It was a rewarding experience for everyone involved.

"It felt great knowing that we improved someone else's life," agreed the enthusiastic students.

Martinsen's class appreciates the support of the Burton Valley community for all the book donations as well as the subsequent purchases. It truly is a school-wide effort.