Monday, October 25, 2010

The Great Library Giveaway

Where the Best Books Are! will donate 300 books to a Denver, Colo., area school library in a giveaway beginning today!

The Great Library Giveaway runs through Mon., Nov. 22, and is open to public elementary schools in 16 local school districts.

With so many schools hit by budget cuts, Where the Best Books Are! hopes this donation will go a little way to help fill shelves and spur more ways to give back to schools.

All of the books in the giveaway were sent to Where the Best Books Are! for review purposes by these great children's publishers:

Abrams, Bloomsbury, Candlewick Press, Charlesbridge, Chronicle, Blue Apple Books, Disney-Hyperion, D.K. Publishing, HarperCollins, Houghton Mifflin, Imagine!, Kingfisher, Nomad, Peachtree, Penguin, Random House, Scholastic, Simon & Schuster, Sleeping Bear, Sterling and Tundra.

Among the highlights: Ingrid Law's Scumble, Over the Rainbow illustrated by Eric Puybaret with a 3-song CD by Judy Collins, The Night Before Christmas performed by Peter, Paul and Mary, and illustrated by Puybaret, Tammi Sauer's Mostly Monsterly, J. Patrick Lewis's Kindergarten Cat and Tad Hills's How Rocket Learned to Read.

Anyone can enter a Denver-area school in the giveaway, whether you live in-state or not -- school staff, district administrators, families of students, friends, etc.

However, due to the high cost of shipping the books, only schools in these districts are eligible to win:

Adams County District 12, Adams County 14 School District, Adams County District 50, Aurora Public Schools, Boulder Valley School District, Brighton School District, Cherry Creek School District, Denver Public Schools, Douglas County School District, Englewood Public Schools, Jefferson County Public Schools, Littleton Public Schools, Mapleton District 1, Sheridan Public Schools, St. Vrain School District and Weld County School District.

To vote for your favorite school, go to Where the Best Books Are! anytime before Nov. 23 and enter one of three ways:

(1) Become a follower (or if you're already a follower, just let me know).
(2) Submit a comment under a post.
(3) Do both to enter your school twice.

Be sure to email me the name of your school after you become a follower or when you submit a comment. (Click the email button at the top of the blog.)

The school with the most votes will win the giveaway.

A winner will be announced Tues., Nov. 23. Then Where the Best Books Are! will arrange a time to deliver the books to the winning school.

To help schools keep track of votes, Where the Best Books Are! will update tallies for each school daily on the blog.

A few thoughts about how this giveaway came about:

One of the great joys of reviewing books has been sharing extra books with local schools, food banks and family shelters.

So when I heard about the cut-backs last spring, I decided I wanted to do something fun and unexpected to help fill gaps on library shelves.

In May, I began setting aside books with the idea that in five months I would have enough to fill a few shelves in a library. I've also added books that I've saved for donation from previous years.

My hope is that students at the winning school feel the same joy our three sons do when books arrive for review.

Best of luck to all of your schools!

206 comments:

  1. Wow, what an AWESOME thing you are doing. I'll be sure to check the tally totals when I stop by. Good luck to all the schools who enter!

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  2. You are the best, Jenny. I've been meaning to let you know how fantastic your blog is ... your love of reading and literature is apparent in every word you lovingly type. Thank you for sharing your passion with the world. Can't wait to see who wins this awesome contest!

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  3. Thanks for the contest! I vote for Bill Roberts in Denver.

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  4. How generous of everyone involved to donate books. I know our school Westminster Elementary has felt the impact of the budget cuts, however, they couldn't cut our love for reading books. Thanks again for the opportunity!!!!

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  5. Westgate Community Charter School! We need them badly!!!

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  6. What a wonderful giveaway! My vote is for the Challenge School

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  7. Please send them to Challenge School. Thank you for your generosity!!

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  8. Thank you! This is a great website! I vote for Silver Creek Elementary.

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  9. I vote for Westminster Elementary!

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  10. Coyote Ridge would love to have them!!

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  11. Please add my vote for the Challenge School!

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  12. Please send the books to the Challenge School.

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  13. Please add my vote for the Challenge School!

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  14. I think it's wonderful that you are doing this. The budget cuts have really hurt our school and we are always looking for ways to get new books so I vote for Ashley Elementary!

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  15. Westminster Elementary will certainly put the books to good use!

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  16. Thanks so much for doing such a great things for our schools. My vote is for the Challenge school.

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  17. please put on for westminster elementry

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  18. Your blog is such a great resource! I am always looking for book recommendations for my girls, so I'll be checking back often. Please add my vote for the Challenge School. Thanks!

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  19. Hi! Not only do I get to vote for our awesome Westgate Community School, I've found a cool blog! Thanks for doing this giveaway! Very generous! I hope Westgate wins! We need the books!!!

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  20. My vote is for Westgate Community School!

    Thank you so much!

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  21. Kids at Coyote Ridge just can't get enough of good books!

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  22. What a great opportunity for a very lucky school! Lets add the amazing library at Skyview Elementary into the running!

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  23. My vote is for Colfax Elementary. We are a school who serve the homeless population in northwest Denver. Most of our students have NO books of their own and are living in shelters. Let's get some more books into the hands of our amazing students!!

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  24. Thank you for donating these books to the community. My vote is for Westgate Community School. We are a new charter school without many books.

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  25. I vote for Colfax Elementary! We could really use those books!

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  26. Westgate Community School ... we're a new charter school, and we parents are trying to collect books to start a school library. How awesome it would be to have all these books to get things started well. Thanks!

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  27. Please add my vote for Fireside Elementary

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  28. Great idea - how generous to donate all those books - please add a vote for Fireside Elementary in Louisville - thanks

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  29. Thank you so much! I vote for Fireside Elementary in Louisville.

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  30. This blog is fun. I'm getting some new ideas for books to add to my character education library.

    Breann

    Vote for Westminster Elementary

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  31. This is a wonderful give-away, but even without it, I'm thrilled to be introduced to your blog. I LOVE children's books and I just spent way too much time reading your blog. I'm sure I'll be back often! Please add a vote for Emerald Elementary in Broomfield. Thanks!

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  32. Fireside Elementary sends a big "Thanks Jenny" for all your efforts!
    Go Falcons!!

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  33. Congrats for this idea. Also the blog is very organized with lots of good information.

    My vote is for Fireside Elementary in Lousville.

    Yukio

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  34. What a cool website! I will tell all my teacher friends.

    Liz

    Vote for Fireside Elementary in Louisville, CO!

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  35. Thanks so much! My vote is for Emerald Elementary in Broomfield.

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  36. Love the blog. Great reviews and helpful as my 9 year old is always wondering what to read next. I vote for Emerald Elementary, Boulder Valley's best kept secret!

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  37. Awesome work, go reader!My vote goes to Emerald Ementary in Broomfield, and Fireside elementary In Louisville!

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  38. Fireside!!! I look forward to catching up on your blog. Thanks!

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  39. Fantastic idea and generous offer! Another vote for Fireside Elementary in Louisville.

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  40. Great blog - and great giveaway! Please add my vote for the fabulous Fireside Elementary School!

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  41. This is the first time I have ever posted a blog/comment. I was waiting for a worthy reason. This idea is certainly worthy and will impact more little readers than we know.

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  42. How generous!! And your blog is awesome! My kids will find it very helpful looking for new books.

    My vote goes to Fireside Elementary in Louisville!

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  43. I vote for Emerald Elementary in Broomfield!

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  44. Great site! Thanks for all the reviews. My vote is for Fireside Elementary in Louisville.

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  45. I'm with Fireside -- thanks!!

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  46. Emerald Elementary students would be so grateful for the books!

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  47. Thanks for supporting our schools! A vote for Fireside Elementary in Louisville please.

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  48. I would love for our school to win. Go Fireside! lpcooks

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  49. My vote is for Emerald Elementary.
    Thanks.

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  50. Emerald Elementary in Broomfield would love books. Thank you, thank you for supporting schools!

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  51. This is a fabulous idea! I'm always looking for new book ideas. I love reading young adult books. I loved the 39 Clues series, as well as Chasing Vermeer. I'll have to try some of your other recommendations. Charlie Bone is another one I love, as was Hunger Games. Thanks for the wonderful ideas.

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  52. I vote for Fireside Elementary in Louisville, CO!

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  53. My wish is that EVERY school will receive new books... But for now we'll have to settle for 300 books......TO FIRESIDE Elementary in Louisville!

    Mr. K.

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  54. Thanks so much for your support. please put my vote in for Emerald Elementary. Thank you.
    Tee

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  55. I vote for Fireside Elementary in Louisville!

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  56. Great giveaway! I vote for Fireside Elementary in Louisville.

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  57. I also vote for Fireside in Louisville! Go Fireside! :)

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  58. I am honored that MOSTLY MONSTERLY was mentioned in this mix of books. :)

    Please let me know which school comes in second place and I will send an autographed copy of either CHICKEN DANCE or COWBOY CAMP to that school.

    My vote goes to Colfax.

    Tammi Sauer

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  59. I vote for Fairview Elementary School in the Sun Valley Projects in Denver. Sun Valley is the poorest neighborhood in the State of Colorado and the closest public library to this neighborhood of families without cars is 2 miles away! Please help us and vote for Fairview!

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  60. I vote for Ashley Elementary Go Wildcats.

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  61. What a great site! I vote for Emerald elementary.

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  63. Westgate Community Charter School! thanks

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  64. I vote for Fairview Elementary!!

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  65. i vote for Ashley Elementary...please

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  66. I vote for Fairview Elementary!!!

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  67. I think all the schools deserve new books but my vote goes to FAIRVIEW Elementary! Yea Fairview! Dre'

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  68. What a great project. Please put my vote in for Fireside Elementary.

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  69. Great idea to get people interested in books. Fairview Elementary, Rah!!

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  70. Great project! I love the blog, as well. I am always looking for good books for my kiddo, and you've got them all here! Thanks!

    My vote is for Fireside Elementary.

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  71. Fairview all the way!!! Hope they win!

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  72. What a generous giveaway. :) I vote for Westgate Community School.

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  73. I can't believe I don't know about you yet! Are you on Twitter? I'll tweet this - email me if you want to try to get this on my Colorado Parent blog, Bookmarkable.wordpress.com.

    Nice to meet you,
    Melissa Taylor
    http://imaginationsoup.net

    P.S. No vote, I don't know how to choose!

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  74. This is such an awesome idea! And great book ideas here too! Please count my vote for Fireside Elementary.

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  75. Thanks for doing this! I vote for my school: Colfax Elementary!

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  76. Hello I vote for Fairview!!!!

    Thanks!!!!

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  77. Great Idea! I vote for Fairview.

    Shelby

    PS: Thanks, Jenny.

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  78. We need to keep our children reading.
    I vote for Fairview Elementary School.

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  79. YAY! Keep VOTING for FAIRVIEW!!!!

    Thank you to my Aunt Louise for being such a GREAT help & SPREADING the word around the WORLD!!

    Thank you!!!

    Sara :):):)

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  80. Sara you rock!!!! I vote for FAIRVIEW!!!!!!!!

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  81. Go Sara! Thanks for being such an inspiration!! I vote for Fairview!!!

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  82. Fairview is an AWESOME school & deserves these books!!

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  83. I vote for Fairview Elementary!!!

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  84. Fairview Elementary has the best books because it has the best teachers like Sara Beth!! Fairview Elementary has my vote!!
    Nina Baire

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  85. Please vote for FAIRVIEW!!!!!!!!

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  86. I vote for Fairview elementary!!

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  87. Sending my HUGE warm VOTE for
    FAIRVIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL!!!

    Best of Luck to my amazing Niece Sara ;-) and all her fellow teachers at Fairview!!
    SARA and FAIRVIEW are "OUTSTANDING"!!!

    Sending light, laughter and love....
    Louise

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  88. Fairview Elementary's got my vote!!!!

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  89. I vote for Fireside Elementary in Louisville!

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  90. I vote for Fireside Elementary

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  91. I vote for FAIRVIEW ELEMENTARY!!

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  92. Here's hoping Fireside Elementary wins the book giveaway, I know how much my daughter LOVES the library there and can't wait for "Library Day". Wonderful blog, thank you!

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  93. I vote for Fireside...Go Fireside!!!

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  94. This is very generous of you - add up another vote for Fireside!
    -Matt

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  95. Let's go Fairview! We could use those books!!! Please add another vote for us :)

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  96. I would also like to vote for Fairview! Lets go Falcons!

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  97. I vote for Fireside Elementary in Louisville!

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  98. Fairview Elementary needs those books. Keep voting Falcons!

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  99. It seems to be a battle of the Falcons here... Fairview Falcons vs. Fireside Falcons.

    I think ALL Falcons are definitely winners here. Keep on Readin' you Falcons!

    Go Fireside!

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  100. Hello,
    I vote for Fairview!
    Thanks,
    Sam

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  101. I vote for Fairview!! They have the best teachers in Denver!

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  102. Here is another vote for Fairview!

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  103. I vote for FIRESIDE! What an incredible community where the teachers, administrators and parents always strive for excellence. Go Fireside!

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  104. Fireside Elementary would love some new titles!!

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  105. I vote for Fireside...yea Fireside!!

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  106. Great blog. We vote for Fireside!

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  107. Great blog...i vote for Fairview! whoot whoot!

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  108. I Vote For Fairview Goooo Falcons...

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  109. TERRI & VIC,

    Thank you SO much for VOTING & everything else you have done for Fairview!

    We are more than grateful :)

    Thank you thank you thank you!

    Sara Beth :)

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  110. I vote for Fairview Elementary!!!!!

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  111. I vote for Fairview Elementary!!!!!!!!!!

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  112. Such a generous gift, as is your blog that shares such wonderful insight for parents to find books for their children. My boys are REALLY picky readers and just learning about your blog is a gift to me! Thanks for doing this library give-away and GO FIRESIDE!!!!

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  113. A HUGE shout out of APPRECIATION
    for TERRI and VIC!!
    My HEART is GRATEFUL to JENNY
    For SHARING her LOVE of CHILDREN
    and BOOKS ;-)
    And ALL the folks who sent in a VOTE ;-)

    Wishing EVERYONE a SAFE and
    "HAPPY THANKSGIVING"!!
    ! Go ~ Fairview ~ Go !

    Sending light, laughter and love to ALL!
    La Weezie Cat ;-)

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  114. Fireside Elementary in Louisville!

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  115. I vote for Fairview Elementary!!!

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  116. This is wonderful! A vote for Fireside.

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  117. Hello!! My name is Caitlin and I have heard about the great students of Fairview Elementary and nothing helps improve someones life like a great education and a Library would be the answer for and even better then great one!

    Word out to Sara Hefner a great teacher and amazing sister!! <3

    GO FAIRVIEW!!!

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  118. Good work. We hope to see Fireside Elementary at top.

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  119. Go GO GOO GOOOOOOO FAIRVIEWWWWWWWW!!!!

    go sara!!!!

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  120. Great idea! Please add my vote for Firerside!

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  121. I vote for Fairview Elementary!!!

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  122. This is really nice! I vote for Fireside Elementary...

    Thanks,
    Rich

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  123. I vote for Fairview Elementary!!!

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  124. I vote for fairview!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  125. go fairview, go fairview, go fairviewwwwww!!

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