A Jefferson County men’s workout group has added a way to get books into children’s hands.
Members of the F3 Jeffco recently donated a book box to the Fox C-6 School District’s Don Earl Early Childhood Center, 849 Jeffco Blvd., in Arnold.
“(The book box) turned out amazing,” said Robert Townsley, the Early Childhood Center director.
F3 Jeffco is part of the F3 Nation national workout group, which schedules free early-morning workouts Monday through Saturday at various locations around the county. F3 stands for fitness, fellowship and faith.
F3 member Cory Heeley spearheaded the effort to donate the box to the Early Childhood Center because he and his wife, Heather’s, three daughters attended classes there.
“We always joke that we are a male-leadership group disguised as a workout group,” Heeley said. “Any opportunities to show male leadership in a positive quality in the community, that is what we like to do.
“When my wife was discussing with the (Early Childhood Center’s) teachers and aides about different community service projects we do at other locations, the teachers (wondered) if we had anyone who did carpentry. We took the idea to the group and reached out to see how many guys we have who would be willing to donate funds, time or materials.”
Heeley said he and several other members of the group either donated materials or worked on the box, including Eric Kraus, Derik Lieberstein, Adam Hartz, David Breeden, Colby Stinebaugh, Taylor Wells and Tony Rich. Heeley’s sister-in-law, Hali Dean, painted the box.
He said Breeden made the box the books are placed in, and he, Hartz and others helped make the base, pole and other pieces.
Heeley said the group began working on the box in late May. It was delivered to the Early Childhood Center on Aug. 19, and the box initially was placed in the playground area on Sept. 4.
“The kids were accessing it left and right,” Townsley said. “They were pulling books. They were reading books. They were really excited.”
Townsley said the box was later moved from the playground area to near the entrance of the Early Childhood Center.
“We tried to figure out a way to make it more of a community connection, and that is why we moved it in front of the building,” he said. “This way as parents come and go, they can get a book anytime that works in their schedule. It allows easier access.”
Townsley said the box can hold between 20 and 30 books at a time, and those who take a book from the box may keep the book.
He said most of the books are for children between the ages of 3 and 5, but there are some books for children younger than 3.
Townsley said the Early Childhood Center has already received hundreds of donated books from staff members and students’ families.
He said anyone may donate books for the box, but he prefers the donations are made at the center and not just placed into the box.
“We want to check and make sure the books are gently used and are appropriate for the age group we are targeting,” he said.
Heeley said he and the F3 members are glad the box has been well-received.
“It has gone over very well from what we have heard,” he said.