Employees from Target worked through the morning Friday, Sept. 23, to give the Shamrock Gardens Elementary School library an extreme makeover, which included shelving 2,000 new donated books. (Photo: Glenn Burkins for Qcitymetro.com)
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Students and teachers at Shamrock Gardens Elementary School got a big surprise Friday when their library, which recently received an extreme makeover, was revealed for the first time.

“It feels great to see our new library open,” said Jamaya Johnson, 8.

The third grader, who isn’t allowed to watch television at home during the week, says she loves reading and averages about three books per week. She says she can’t wait to start reading in her school’s new library.

“I like that we can read, and when we read, we can get comfortable,” she said looking around the newly decorated library complete with new workstations and plush bean bags.

Just moments before the great reveal, more 100 volunteers were busy assembling new furniture, updating the carpeting, connecting equipment and adding decorative touches to the freshly painted walls.

The renovated library is part of a national School Library Makeover program through which Target, in partnership with the Heart of America Foundation, revitalizes local school libraries, with a focus on helping children read proficiently by the end of third grade.

“Target gives five percent [of its income] back to the community,” said Richard Green, the company’s district facilities manager. “Since 2007, we have been partnering with Heart of America. This year we are doing 42 schools - giving their libraries a makeover.”

In addition to the makeover, five electronic readers, 10 iPads, a brand new television, 2,000 new books for students and 150 books for parents also were donated to the school library. Plus, all students and their siblings will receive seven books each to take home.

According to Green, the library makeover took four months to complete from start to finish.

It gives me chills

Friday morning, volunteers were also busy at work down the hall in the school’s cafeteria. They were setting up a food pantry.

In addition to library makeovers, Target also sponsors the Meals for Minds program in partnership with Second Harvest Food Bank to provide fresh fruits, vegetables and other nutritious staples for families in need.

Parents with children attending Shamrock were invited in to receive 22 pounds of food, which they will be able to receive each month.

“These kids really need it,” said Jenone Quince, who works in the school’s cafeteria. “I see them everyday coming through the line, and there is nothing that I can do personally to help.”

As a single mother with two jobs and two children, Quince knows what it’s like to experience hard times.

“I’m getting chills,” she said while observing the volunteers at work. “This is so great. They do so much for these kids here. Words can’t even explain how I feel. It is so good to see this… it really means a lot.”

Ninety-three percent of the school’s student body comes from low-income families, as defined by their self-reported eligibility to receive free and reduced lunch.

“This will help ensure that all of our children receive nutrition,” said Angela Grant, who is in her first year as principal at Shamrock. “It’s not just the children who go here, but any child in their family. Parents who arrive today are going to receive a wristband for every child that lives in their house. They will be able to take enough food home and diapers to take care of their families. That is just a wonderful blessing and gift for our community.”

The midnight hour

Last year, when the school’s librarian, Margaret Hollar, submitted the grant application for the makeover, she had some reservations. For starters, she had only 48 hours to complete the grant and says that if she wanted to get it done, she had to go it alone. On top of that, the district was undergoing budget cuts, and her job was on the chopping block.

She was up in the air about doing the grant but said something pulled at her heart to get it done. So, she stayed up all night until the grant was complete.

“After we won, about three or four weeks later, I was let go,” she said. Then, after the district’s operating budget proved not to be as dismal as expected, Hollar was hired back.
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Students at Shamrock Gardens Elementary get a first look at their newly renovated Library -- and the Target mascot -- on Friday, Sept. 23. (Photo: Michaela Duckett for Qcitymetro.com)
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“It just gives me chills,” she said, thinking about how big of an opportunity would have been lost for the students had she decided not to submit the grant.

She added that although the new library is “wonderful,” she truly appreciates the food bank portion of the grant. “That’s what amazed me the most,” she said. “They are going to have bags of food, every month for every family in our school.”

Second time’s a charm

This is the second year that CMS has participated in the project. Last year, Shamrock Gardens was one of three finalists being considered for the makeover, but Albemarle Elementary School was chosen.

Shamrock Gardens Elementary Principal Angela Grant gets help cutting the ribbon to the schools newly renovated library, Friday, Sept. 23. (Photo: Michaela Duckett for Qcitymetro.com)

Heart of America president and co-founder Angie Halamandaris said the foundation works closely with the school district to select schools that best meet a basic criteria - such as having strong leadership, high numbers of students receiving free and reduced meals, as well as those in need of assistance transforming their media spaces.

This year, she said, a dozen schools applied and Shamrock was selected out of a total of three finalists.

“It’s a hard choice because you fall in love with every school,” Halamandaris said. “But this school just resonated.”

In addition to receiving a brand new library, Johnson and another Shamrock student - Maeve Merrick, 6, were honored by Heart of America with the Heroes of the Heart award. The program highlights local youth for being the “heart and soul” of their community by providing hope and inspiration to others.

Johnson was nominated for the award after helping her mother, Annie Johnson, through two bouts with breast cancer last year and for her commitment to remaining active in her church. She also spends several hours volunteering in the community and is part of an afterschool club committed to community service.

Merrick was recognized for her caring heart and displays of compassion for her classmates. She is known for her willingness to help other students who may be struggling with academics or behavior. Last year, after noticing the lack of fun games and books in her classroom, Merrick donated some of her own.

Click here for more information about The Heart of America Foundation.

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