Doris Klaussen's new library needed books. One girl dropped off more than 2,500

On the last day of school before winter break, Doris Klaussen Developmental Center students Kylie Rivera, Jacob Peka and Trenton Harmon beamed as they sat around a table where they thumbed through books.

The moment was made possible by an 11-year-old West Michigan girl.

Doris Klaussen, a school operated by the Calhoun Intermediate School District that provides educational services for students with moderate to severe impairments, received a new library last year as part of a renovation project.

Before that, the school's library consisted of one book shelf with just over 100 books, a number of them tattered and dated. Although the school received book donations here and there, funding for the new library had run short.

Susan Karanja, a Doris Klaussen K-5 teacher, said she sent a photo of the school's former "library" to her sister, Nicki Parrott of Rockford, who relayed it to her then-10-year-old daughter, Paige.

"I saw the library thing they had and it was super small," Paige said, "and I just felt bad because I love to read and I love books and everything, and I know when you get the chance to read, you'll love it."

So Paige set off to organize a book drive for Doris Klaussen, first contacting the family's church, Keystone Community Church in Ada.

"She came up with the idea," Nicki Parrott said. "They were asked at our church around Christmas time to think of some way to help others. We were supposed to send in pictures, collect some of our old books and give them to Susie's school, and it snowballed. The church, and then family and friends, and her student council" at Lakes Elementary.

Paige said she had modest goals when she began her quest.

"I didn't really think much of it, maybe like 300 or something books," she said. "Then I got two communities helping me, so maybe we can get 800. Then we got to 2,500!"

Meanwhile, Karanja was completely unaware that her niece was spearheading an effort to provide books for Doris Klaussen's students.

In June, Nicki drove Paige and her younger sister, Piper, to Doris Klaussen so Paige could read to students. Karanja, who was seven months pregnant at the time, said Paige had previously asked about being a volunteer reader.

"When Paige was reading to my class, my sister said, 'Piper has to go to the bathroom, we'll be right back.' And they took forever. So (I said) 'Paige, let's go find your mom. They've been gone a while,'" Karanja recalled.

"We went to go find her, and I see them unloading a truck, like an F-150, and the bed is filled with boxes of books. They were unloading it and Paige was pushing in this giant cart of books. 'Wait, what's going on?' They said these are all books for your school. And I just started balling."

Today, the library is filled wall-to-wall with new and gently-used books.

Karanja said the books cover all reading levels. "We've got anything from board books for the kids that need more thickness to turn the pages... up to chapter books for the emotionally impaired programs here for kids up to 12th grade reading level where they can read chapter books."

The library has also provided a calming environment for students who need time to de-stress. The school is still accepting book donations, and visitors are welcome to donate their time as volunteer readers.

Nicki Parrott said her daughter "has always been a bit of an activist."

"She raises money for the Humane Society and she really loves to do good for other people," she said. "She's always been really compassionate, and we've tried to make sure (our kids) are aware that there are needs, not just our neighborhood, there's a bigger picture out there."

Nick Buckley can be reached at nbuckley@battlecreekenquirer.com or 269-966-0652. Follow him on Twitter:@NickJBuckley