06/22/2026
MONTICELLO KIWANIS DONATES BOOKS TO SECOND GRADERS
Monticello Kiwanis Club representatives recently visited the George L. Cooke Elementary School for a Reading Assembly and distribution of 200 books to ten second grade classes for their summer reading pleasure.
Jane Sorensen, Past Distinguished Kiwanis President and current EPIC (Every Person Influences Children) Family Engagement & Program Manager for the Monticello Central School District, led the assembly by reading a book entitled “Stand Tall Molly Lou Melon” by Patty Lovell. The book was about Molly who was bullied in school and how she learned to gain self-esteem and overcome challenges and negativity from others. The students loved listening to the story and Mrs. Sorensen received a round of applause.
At the end of the assembly, Mrs. Makayla Kilcoin’s class posed with big smiles as they each held a chapter book.
Cooke School Principal Virginia Gallet commented “Thanks to the generosity of the Kiwanis Club, our second graders are building their home libraries and discovering the joy of reading. This meaningful gift will inspire curiosity, confidence and a lifelong love of learning”.
This project was a group effort spearheaded by Jane Sorensen with the assistance of Kiwanians/retired elementary school teachers Doris Motl and Ellen Nesin as well as the current second grade teachers helping to select the most appropriate reading levels for their students.
The book distribution was consistent with the Kiwanis mission of improving the world one child and one community at a time. For more Kiwanis information, visit the Monticello NY Kiwanis Club page.
Picture One – Jane Sorensen reading “Stand Tall Molly Lou Melon” to students
Picture Two – Maykayla Kilcoin’s second grade students posing with books. On left are Teacher Aide Ms. Medina and Mrs. Kilcoin and on right are Kiwanians Jane Sorensen and Sheila Lashinsky
