Sebring students gifted books through Scarpitti Foundation and Scholastic Books Partnership

SEBRING - B.L. Miller Elementary School students took home books for free thanks to a partnership between The Carl & Josie Scarpitti Foundation and Scholastic Books. The foundation provided a $20 credit to all pre-K through sixth-grade students to spend on new books at the school's Scholastic Book Fair.

The book fair is held at the school annually, and this year operated on school days from Oct. 1 through 7. According to Dave Scarpitti, a foundation trustee, the funds for each student to purchase books were donated in memory of Suzanne Scarpitti, the eldest child of Carl and Josie, who passed away in April and would have turned 80 on Oct. 26.

"The Foundation wanted to make books accessible to students as a special tribute to our sister, Suzanne, who spent her career as an elementary school teacher and principal. After she retired, she tutored young children for many years and also was very involved in the Scarpitti Foundation's work," said Scarpitti.

"Reading is so important and this donation helps encourage our students to keep reading and keep learning. It's generating a lot of excitement because every student will have the chance to select and take home books that interest them. We feel fortunate to receive this thoughtful donation from the Scarpitti Foundation," said Nichole Hanley, B.L. Miller principal.