“If you have any doubts about the good you are doing with this amazing program, just know you have helped one student realize that he actually enjoys books,” wrote Marti Waller, special education teacher at Northome School. The program received $400 for the purchase of new books last fall.

“If you could see his face and hear his laugh while he is reading the book, you would know why special education teachers do the jobs they do. Thank you for that reminder,” Waller wrote. “My students and I greatly appreciate your generosity.”

Books also were mentioned in a thank you letter from Santa’s Mitten Maids for a $250 contribution from RoundUp. “One child told one of our elves, “I got books, in with my presents. I have never had books in my house that were just for me!” The Mitten Maids distribute Christmas gifts and mittens to over 250 children and challenged adults in their area.

Bridges: Kinship Mentoring is using a RoundUp grant to start a pilot program for school-based mentoring in Bigfork School. “One by one we are making a difference in lives of our children in our community. The Operation RoundUp grant is helping us reach our mission,” wrote Nancy Roth as she described progress in the mentoring program.

Eagleview PTC put its grant to use toward school field trips to the Reif Center for children’s theater. “Without your grant we would have to cut our field trips and miss out on educational opportunities,” wrote Celeste Williams of the PTC.

In Deer River, the Nordic Ski Team has been working toward the purchase of new uniforms and equipment. “The ski team is made up of a great bunch of kids from this area,” wrote Tess Drotts. “They work hard to represent our community well. We will wear our new uniforms with pride, and we thank you for helping us to acquire them.”