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By JOYANNA LOVE/ Managing Editor

Clanton Elementary reading specialist Monique Harton has started two virtual fundraisers to purchase books and activity supplies for students to have some educational fun this summer.

“A lot of times outside of going to the public library, a lot of students don’t have access to books at home,” Harton said.

She said she wanted to be able to give books to at least a portion of the students at the school, “so they can continue to read during the summer and have exciting books to look at while they are out.”

The $346 Harton is requesting would give books to at least 35 students. She is still $276 away from her goal.

“My goal is to get it funded during the summer, so I can get it to them this summer,” Harton said.

If she receives the funding and gets the necessary approval from school administration, Harton plans to set up a pick-up site for the books at the school.

If the project is not funded until school starts, then Harton would distribute the books through the classroom teachers.

The request must be fully funded by Sept. 5 for Harton to receive the funding.

Harton illustrated books and books that explain the COVID-19 pandemic in a way that children would understand.

She said she hopes the project will be able to “heighten their imagination over the summer, give them a little bit of joy while they are reading.”

Donations can be made to the project on the DonorsChoose.org page. Those who have gently used books they would like to donate can contact Harton at mmharton@chiltonboe.com.

Harton’s second project combines reading and hands-on skills. She has named the project “Gardening with Kids: Garden in a Glove.”

“This activity will allow students to experience gardens as living laboratories. They will be required to label each finger of a plastic glove, wet a cotton ball, place a seed or seeds on the cotton ball, place it in the glove, tie it up and watch it grow,” the project description states.   “The students will be required to keep a journal of the seeds progress. I truly believe that memories are made when hands are involved and I love the idea of the students making garden memories with their families; whether it is using the garden to learn, do a craft or harvest together.”

Harton said she found the idea on the internet.

Seeds for the project will be provided by her husband Marlin Harton from a surplus of some he received for his agriculture class at Chilton County High School.

Donations can be made on the DonorsChoose.org page. Those who want to donate actual items can contact Monique Harton at mmharton@chiltonboe.com.

The project needs $490 by Sept. 5 to be fully funded. However, Monique Harton hopes to have the project funded before then.