Bess the E book Bus delivers free books for Maine youngsters throughout cross-country journey
FORT KENT, Maine — In case you spot a little bit bus with Florida license plates and colourful photographs of youngsters and puppies studying books painted on the edges rolling alongside Interstate 95 or up and down the streets of your Maine city, it’s sure you may have encountered Bess the E book Bus.
The Tampa-based bus has been delivering free books to youngsters, colleges and libraries in cities and cities all through the nation for 20 years and in Maine since 2010. The bus’ theme this yr is “On the Highway to a Million” as a result of it’s anticipated to ship its one millionth guide in Texas later this month.
The purpose of the non-profit is to advertise literacy and slim the educational achievement hole, in response to E book Bus founder Jennifer Frances. At a time when the prices of requirements corresponding to meals and gasoline are straining budgets — particularly in rural areas — books are a luxurious many households can’t afford to buy. Free books corresponding to these enable all youngsters entry to guide possession.
“I’m just like the cousin from away — I come each summer time to hang around,” Frances stated. “The good factor about Maine is we get plenty of emails and letters from individuals, particularly Houlton.”
Bess the E book Bus is funded by a number of philanthropic organizations, particularly within the Tampa Bay, Florida, space, and embrace giants corresponding to Citgo, Townsend Press and Mercedes-Benz USA, which supplied the present automobile and retrofitted it for the guide mission — a 2011 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500. A number of smaller organizations and particular person individuals additionally donate to the mission.
Bess visited the Fort Kent Public Library Wednesday to the delight of dozens of children who stopped by to pick a free guide.
Sporting a St. Francis T-shirt and Lifeless Eye Trucking cap, 6 ½-year-old Alex McBreairty smiled from ear to ear whereas he checked out an assortment of Nationwide Geographic books, from which he chosen one about vikings.
The teen plans to be a truck driver when he grows up, identical to his dad, Lance McBreairty.
“He’s a fantastic little reader,” stated his grandmother, Vicki McBreairty, who accompanied him to the guide bus.
Bess additionally donated a boxful of books to the library, a lot to the appreciation of library director Andrew Birden.
“It’s thrilling to me that now we have so many enthusiastic readers in our neighborhood and that Bess the E book Bus will come up and nurture that,” Birden stated. “We don’t have a guide price range actually.”
Frances drives the little bus and brings alongside a hammock and tent so she will make the most of tenting outdoors alongside her cross-country journey each time attainable.
“Maine is completely lovely. There’s no place prefer it,” Frances stated.
The bus has but to go to Milbridge, Jonesport and Skowhegan earlier than rounding out its Maine tour in Houlton.
For details about Bess the E book Bus, go to its web site at bessthebookbus.org. The group additionally maintains a Fb web page.
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