COEUR d'ALENE — When Kailey Smith saw nobody had donated books on the second day of Lake City High School's Jingle Books drive, she started to get nervous.

"But then out of nowhere everyone just started to donate," said Smith, senior class vice president. "Day after day we kept getting tons and tons of books."

In just two short weeks, students at Lake City High School donated 2,271 books to Jingle Books — a holiday program focused on eliminating childhood illiteracy in Coeur d'Alene. Last year's inaugural drive received 15,462 books from members of the community, which gave each kindergarten through third-grade student the chance to select three books at a book fair before Christmas break.

"It helps support our community and it shows that we care for all of the students no matter what their grade level is," Smith said of her school's efforts. "If they can't get books, it's great for us to support others and get books to them."

On Nov. 12, Dave Eubanks loaded all of the donated books into his truck with the help of Lake City students. The co-founder of the book drive told The Press Monday that his truck felt weighed down by the magnitude of the donation.

"It was absolutely astounding," Eubanks said. "I believe they tripled their donation from last year."

"I felt elated," added Greta Gissel, who runs the drive with Eubanks. "It's exciting because kids rallying around kids makes a huge statement."

Around 4,000 books have been donated to the drive so far, according to Eubanks, and more are expected to come in. If the group meets its goal of getting 20,000 books, each student in the Coeur d'Alene School District from kindergarten through third grade will receive five books of their choice.

"It will be interesting to see what Coeur d'Alene High School can come up with," Eubanks said, throwing down the gauntlet to the Timberwolves' crosstown rivals. "Can you top that, Vikings?"

Jingle Books organizers will be accepting used books, the content of which is intended for elementary students, through Dec. 8. Every school in the Coeur d'Alene School District, as well as participating businesses and organizations, will have a wrapped box where residents can drop off titles.

Eubanks told The Press three area churches will be participating in the Jingle Books Drive and encouraged other churches to follow suit.

"Everyone I've talked to has said yes to helping in one way or another," Eubanks said. "But when you're talking about improving literacy amongst our littlest learners, how can you say no?"

For more information on where to drop off used books, or how to get a donation box, contact Gissel at (208) 819-8345 or by email at greta.gissel@gmail.com.

"I have had people specifically emailing me asking to participate as volunteers by helping collect and sort through books, so that's pretty exciting to me. But we still need more," Gissel said, adding anyone with questions about volunteering should contact her.