Mary Lou Holt, member of St. Hugh Ladies of Charity, was at a family event and was discussing with her niece, Kellie Colliflower, service projects that the Ladies of Charity were doing in Greenbelt. Colliflower, office manager for a College Park based elevator company, thyssenkrupp Elevator Company, asked how her company could get involved in helping in the community. Holt told her that Springhill Lake Elementary School was in need of books for their students – K through fifth grade – that they could take with them to read and keep at home. Colliflower organized an employee book donation drive at thyssenkrupp Elevator Company for SHLES. Carrie Gardner, librarian at SHLES, was contacted to arrange a delivery date for the books. Gardner was pleased to get donated books for the students to take home before the holiday break. Five large bins of books were delivered to the school on Thursday, November 21. Gardner will sort the books according to age and the students will come to the library to select their books to take home with them. Colliflower asked Gardner if there were other ways that their company could help and volunteer at the school. Gardner mentioned the need for volunteers to read to the students. Leslie Durakis, account manager, said, “that would be wonderful to be able to read to students.” Company contact information was exchanged and a new partnership formed with SHLES. Gardner said, “the children get so excited that they can keep the books!” Mary Ann Tretler is the president of the St. Hugh Ladies of Charity.
