Local businesswoman collecting books to help elementary school teachers
By LOIS KINDLE
Thanks to Pass a Book, a new program started by Ruskin businesswoman Heather Hindman, area grade-school teachers can get free books for their classroom libraries to give away to children who truly need them.
LOIS KINDLE PHOTO
Heather Hindman, co-owner of Hindman Electric in Ruskin, knows the challenges teachers face in getting the books they need for their classroom libraries. She herself taught reading and language arts at Gibsonton’s Corr Elementary School from 2007 to 2014.
“Many teachers must supply all their books, and this can be very costly,” she said. “I personally spent at least $1,000 out of my own pocket.”
Now that she is operating a business, Hindman began accepting books from the community to help area teachers, added them to a collection she had in her garage from her teaching days and started a program called Pass a Book.
“I had boxes and boxes of books from when I taught 1st and 3rd grades, so I thought I’d put them to good use,” said the mother of three. “Many children don’t own a book, and I felt teachers could give the ones I’ve collected to those kids.”
The free program is for children ages 5 to 12 in grades K-6, she said.
The books she’s after have titles like Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Suess; Harry Potter & the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling; Goosebumps by R.L. Stine; Ramona Quimby, Age 8 by Beverly Cleary; and Flat Stanley by Jeff Brown.
“Teachers can either come by Hindman Electric at 1517 U.S. 41 S., Unit 3 in Ruskin, or they can call 813-672-4084 to arrange for delivery,” Hindman said. “The advantage to their coming in is they can choose books specific to their classroom programs.
“We also have some books just for fun.”
Hindman offers Pass a Book to grade-school teachers, parents who homeschool their children and churches or daycares with after-school programs.
“The purpose is to get books in the hands of children who really need them,” she said. “If any other groups in the community might use or donate books, they are welcome to participate.”
Heather Hindman, of Bryan Hindman Electric LLC, and her mother, Trish Hutchinson, are collecting new and gently used books from the public to help area teachers who have to pay for books out of their own pockets to supply their classroom libraries.
LOIS KINDLE PHOTO
Since starting Pass a Book in early November, Hindman has received between 200 and 300 new or gently used books from area residents. She recently made a donation from the collection to Ruskin Elementary School, where she’s now a reading tutor.
Virginia Trotta, Hindman’s mother and a former media center administrator in Sarasota, helps coordinate the Pass a Book project.
Ruskin residents Bryan and Heather Hindman own and operate Hindman Electric LLC, a residential and commercial service of highly trained and experienced electricians who have worked together for many years. The company, which offers electrical repairs, maintenance, rewires, remodels and installation, is a member of the Riverview, SouthShore and Sun City Center chambers of commerce, South Shore Business Professionals and Success Express BNI. Its primary service areas are eastern and southern Hillsborough County, Tampa and northern Manatee County, including Bradenton.
To learn more about Hindman Electric, visit bryanhindmanelectric.com.
For additional information about Pass a Book or to make a book donation, message Heather on the Bryan Hindman Electric page on Facebook or call Trish Hutchinson at 813-672-4084.
