NMCC celebrates 10 years
of giving out books during parade
PRESQUE ISLE — Northern Maine Community College students and employees bundled up to participate in Presque Isle’s annual Holiday Light Parade Dec. 7. Their mission — to pass out thousands of books to rosy-cheeked children standing along the parade route. For 10 years, this event has helped brighten and enrich the lives of area children and has become a signature community service activity during the holiday season.
Photo courtesy of Northern Maine Community College
NMCC PRESIDENT Timothy Crowley, as well as several NMCC students, employees and their families, distributed nearly 5,000 books to awaiting children during Presque Isle’s Holiday Light Parade Dec. 7. 
“Several students, instructors and employees volunteered countless hours collecting, cleaning and sorting the books months prior to the event,” said Colleen Harmon, NMCC business and technology instructor and event organizer. “A few instructors offered extra credit points and students were able to participate in a community service project that allowed them to see the true value in giving.”
The college collected nearly 5,000 books from area businesses and individuals including The Cubby owners Chris and Cindy Johnson, Sue Cook, Sue Willett, Judy Walton, Ava Phair and Ken Keaton, as well as a large donation of books from the University of Maine at Presque Isle and ReEnergy Fort Fairfield the week prior to the parade.
“This is a wonderful way to get a gift in the hands of kids who may not get a book during the holidays,” said Timothy Crowley, NMCC president. “It recycles books that otherwise may just sit on a shelf. Those who participate in the event get to literally see the excitement in the children’s eyes when they receive a book. It reinforces the importance of reading and giving.”
Central Aroostook Association generously donated the use of one of their buses to transport the books during the parade and Star City IGA delivered several of their grocery carts to help volunteers distribute the books. The NMCC community will be collecting more books during the year ahead for the 2014 parade with the goal of encouraging smiles and learning for area children.
For information on donating books, call Harmon at 768-2732.
