Action Week 2024

Written by President Elect, Carol Valentine

Action Week 2024 is over! Let me tell you it was an incredible experience, an experience we’ve not had the opportunity to do for awhile. First I’d like to thank my wonderful committee, especially my talented puppeteers – Susie Main,
Ruth Ann Arany, Janet Cordes, and Susan Noeller. The “roadies” that helped us set up and pack up were Barb Shankel, Patty Johnson, Susan Seet, Cathy Camp, and Laura Ellis. And Brenta Clem. The book sorters, sticker applicators, and general all around help were Linda Ranger, Claire Marshall, Pat Deyhle, and Barb Mohr. All these ladies were super helpful, on time, and cheerful, and for that I am grateful.

I’d also like to say we donated books to and performed the puppet show twice at a wonderful little IPS school called Jonathan Jennings, IPS 109. After the books that had been donated by our members and community partners were properly stickered with our donation sticker, we delivered them to 109 on Tuesday, February 13. The rest of the books had been delivered by Scholastic to the school and were waiting for us in the library. The team worked fast, and the books were all ready on the library tables for the kids to choose 2 books. Kevin McMahon, the Principal of 109 had the kids in there by class on Thursday, February 15, when we arrived to perform. The students were so excited to receive the books, and they thanked us many times. In total, we donated 1,350 books to the school, half for the library and half for the students to take home. We were so happy we got to see the students picking out books, and we talked to them about reading and helped some of them pick out the perfect one.

We performed the puppet show – Eddie and the Magic Buttons – for the kindergartners in the morning – they came in excited and left absolutely beside themselves with joy. One of the teachers said her mom would like to join a group like ours. Another teacher was nearly in tears because one of her students who is autistic spoke to Eddie the puppet – she had never heard him speak. In the afternoon we performed for the 1 st graders, who were equally excited, and good readers, too.

This was a happy school – these kids are so lucky to go there, and we were so happy to be there, we smiled the whole time. We who have been members for a long time have nearly forgotten what it is to be with children, to hear their voices, and see their faces. I hope we can get back to it soon.

Thank you to all the members who donated, and to National Bank of Indianapolis, who conducted a book drive for us and donated 168 books. We couldn’t have done it without you, and although the kids benefitted, we benefitted more because we got to see their enjoyment.All in all Action Week 2024 was a huge success, thanks to outstanding teamwork.