HOLA Lakeway launches laundromat reading program
Updated: May 13, 2020
In March, Stephanie Spidell, a Carson-Newman student and HOLA Lakeway Intern, helped launch the first of what is hoped to be multiple Laundromat Reading Centers in the Lakeway Area. The first location is at Sunshine Laundry on Buffalo Trail.
Essentially, Sunshine Laundry provided the space and HOLA and Spidell created a small library space, like a book nook, for kids to read while parents do laundry.
“The idea is to increase literacy in the community,” HOLA Lakeway Director Betsy Hurst. “It will help the families who come into the laundry. The books we have are in English and in Spanish, with the main idea of increasing literacy in both languages. The main idea is for families to read together while washing clothes.”
Spidell is a Bonner Scholar at C-N which require she perform acts of community service. She got a “Superhero grant” of $1,500. Additionally, there was a $500 dollar grant from Carson-Newman.
“My community service site is HOLA Lakeway,” she said. “We do a big project as a senior. This was my senior capstone project. I applied and got grant money. That’s how we got a bookshelf and how we will finance the next one.”
The laundromat library has a wide variety of books to serve everyone from children to adults.
“We hope the communities like this program,” Hurst said. “We’re really excited about it. We think it’s going to be a good positive impact on the community.”
HOLA Lakeway is accepting book donations of new books or used books in good condition.
For more information or to donate, call 423-438-3115, email holalakeway@gmail.com or mail donations to HOLA Lakeway P.O. Box 3246, Morristown, TN. 37815.
