A school library is a safe haven for young minds, a treasured space where children go to learn and to dream.
Dew ISD’s Library was just this, a shining light for its students but, on Tuesday, February 16th, during the Winter Storm that ravaged Texas, the small Pre-K through 8th school in Southern Freestone County lost their library due to an electrical fire.
Freestone County Historical Museum donated a large collection of historical books to the Dew School Library after their library sustained great damage in a recent fire. Among the books donated were Freestone County History Books, Vol I and II; Freestone Past and Present by J.R. Sessions, Jr., Queen of the Trinity Star by Barbara Fryer Price, Two Stars in the Southern Sky by Davis Carter, a set of Eleanor Clark books, and a large collection of school age historical biographies. Dew School Librarian, Elizabeth Jernigan (left), accepts the generous donation from Patricia Pratt, FCHM Curator. (Submitted Photo)
“Everything was a complete loss,” said Elizabeth Jernigan, Dew ISD Librarian. “Our four exterior walls are still standing, but everything inside the library, if it’s not in ashes, it’s gone because of smoke damage.”
The books and materials were destroyed but, not all hope has been lost.
The Freestone County community and beyond is pitching in to help. Locally many have donated including the Freestone County Museum which donated a large collection of historical books to the library.
The school created an Amazon wish list and donations are going strong.
There has also been a fundraiser started by East Pine Design. T-shirts with the message “FREECO We Can Move Mountains Together” are being sold for $22 each and all proceeds are benefitting the school’s library.
Donations have been pouring in from far and wide. A Pascagoula, Mississippi school that suffered a loss to their library during Hurricane Katrina is donating books and creating Dr. Seuss cards for Dew’s students and faculty. Many kind messages have been received, some from as far away as Ukraine.
“It is truly amazing how people have found out and reached out to me,” said Jernigan. “It is really, really cool. It has been the most, all I can say is humbling. It really makes you realize that there are some many good people still in this world.”
The school is overwhelmed with the generosity and kindness being shown for their small school and they are looking forward to a bright future for the library.
To donate to Dew ISD’s Amazon Wish List please visit: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/genericItemsPage/3RLMOLDS07ODM?ref_=wl_share
If you would like to purchase a fundraiser shirt you can find more info on Dew ISD’s Facebook Page or contact Amy Evans at (254) 644-0976 or Elizabeth Jernigan (903) 388 – 8794
