Kumon’s Jacksonville-Fruit Cove Center Donates 510 Books to Hurricane-Damaged School

By: Kumon Math & Reading Centers | 0 Shares 140 Reads

January 27, 2025 // Franchising.com // RUTHERFORD, N.J. – A book drive by the Kumon Math and Reading Center of Jacksonville-Fruit Cove collected about 510 books that were donated to the Cathedral School of St. Jude in St. Petersburg, which was damaged by hurricanes Helene and Milton last year.

“There was so much damage there from the flooding from the hurricanes,” said Kumon Instructor Kimberley Teira, whose sister is a teacher at the school. “When she told me about it, it was just awful. I thought, ‘I can help. I can do something.’”

So, Teira put out a call to her parents and community to help. And they answered.

“I have the most amazing families,” she said. “One boy brought his favorite book and gave it to me. I was a little teary from that. And another parent went to a bookstore and brought a bunch of books to us from there. It was overwhelming.”

Kumon Instructors and corporate staff in the U.S., Canada and Mexico collect new and gently used books at their centers each year. As part of the international book drive, instructors designate local organizations that provide resources to families – such as children’s hospitals, local schools, literacy tutors and library fundraising groups – to receive the books. Since 2022, Instructors have collected and donated 57,268 books.

“Together, we’ve made a lasting impact, one book at a time,” said Danielle Sabbagh, Kumon’s communication and event specialist. “These books have been distributed far and wide across North America, supporting access to education and literacy for countless communities.”

SOURCE Kumon Math and Reading Center

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