Books have always played an important role in Ashlyn Coxe’s life. For her Bat Mitzvah project during spring and summer 2020, she launched a community book drive meant to place new and gently used books in the hands of both children and adults in our community. In addition to donating books to a variety of organizations like the Pitt County Council on Aging, Pitt County Animal Shelter, Sheppard Memorial Library, various Pitt County Elementary Schools, READ ENC, and Ronald McDonald House, she has placed books in many Little Library locations throughout the community mapped on READ ENC’s Little Library Map. Ashlyn, who is currently a student at Hope Middle School, has received media coverage for her project from WITN, WNCT, and 107.9 WNCT radio. Visit Ashlyn’s Book Project Facebook page  to view media coverage and for continuing updates (including her current number of books donated, which on August 4 was more than 2,600).

Krista Bunting, Pitt County Schools CARE teacher, nominated Ashlyn as a READ ENC Reading Champion as her book drive project “impacts all children in Pitt County who might not have the opportunity of having a home library.” She also noted that Ashlyn’s ongoing book placement in Little Libraries across the county sparks excitement to read!  

Ashlyn, READ ENC and the Pitt County community salute you for all that you are doing to encourage reading and literacy for our families and children. 

Nominated by: Krista Bunting, CARE teacher, Pitt County Schools