While preparing for the Andros trip, sophomores Matt Sharpe and David Essman stack cases of books in the Lion Lobby to be loaded on the bus. When members from the school went on the annual Andros Island, Bahamas spring break trip, they brought the books to donate to local libraries.
Sharpe said that the final destination of the books was one of his motivations for helping move them.
“I helped for Andros because I like being a part of children’s education,” Sharpe said. “It’s a very great cause. We’re helping deprived children.”
The Andros Library book project was started in the high school by science teacher Rose Blanchard, English teacher Janice Yoder and librarian Vicki Almos four years ago, Blanchard said.
“There’s such a great need [for the books],” Blanchard said.
Books are being donated to 15 different primary schools on the island, Blanchard said.
She added that so far 10 tons, or a total of 40,000 books, have been processed for the project.
Blanchard has been going to Andros for many years and has made a connection with the islanders.
“Bexley has been going to Andros for 30 years and [donating books] is a really cool way for us to give something back to the people on the island,” Blanchard said.
Blanchard added that the project extended beyond the high school to other local schools and churches.