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Crowley ISD honors volunteers behind 'Learn to Love to Read' book-vending program
Summary
Bonnie Barksdale and the 'Learn to Love to Read' committee received Crowley ISD's Heartbeat Award for a book-vending initiative that puts free books — including Spanish-language titles — into students' hands; the foundation outlined sponsorship levels and a two-year fill pledge.
The Crowley ISD Board of Trustees recognized the district’s volunteer literacy group with the Heartbeat Award, highlighting a program that places book-vending machines on campuses so students can choose free books to take home.
Bonnie Barksdale, invited to present the item, described the Learn to Love to Read initiative and the vending-machine pilot. "Our goal is that every child in Crowley ISD has books in their homes that they can read," Barksdale said, noting the machines dispense both English and Spanish titles and are stocked through volunteer and donor support. Barksdale and other committee members described outreach activities — from book-fair giveaways to campus events — aimed at building a culture of reading.
The foundation outlined sponsorship options for sustaining the machines: a $7,500 donation to sponsor a machine with donor recognition, a $2,500 donation option to supply a year of books, and smaller individual giving choices. Barksdale said the Chisholm Trail Education Foundation will fill machines for two years "as long as we have funds," but emphasized ongoing funding is needed to continue the service.
Trustees asked about the foundation’s history and its donation channels. Barksdale said the group began serving Crowley ISD about 15 years ago under a rebrand and described multiple donation pathways. Trustee June W. Davis asked whether payroll-deduction contributions remain available; presenters said that option had been paused after negative feedback but could be reconsidered. The board offered thanks and applause for the volunteers’ work and their literacy focus.
