COEUR d'ALENE — Last year Taylor Holcomb arrived home from kindergarten with excitement in her eyes and a backpack full of free books.

When Taylor's mom, Sarah, learned her daughter had received the books through Jingle Books — an annual program that gathers donated children's books and distributes them to kindergarten through third-grade students in the Coeur d'Alene School District — she was blown away.

"I was really touched that our community rallied together," Holcomb said. "I love that it's completely grassroots and I just had to be a part of it. As a stay-at-home mom, what a great way to give back."

Holcomb was able to get in touch with Coeur d'Alene School District Trustee Dave Eubanks, and is already out in the community connecting local churches with the Jingle Books drive. If this year's goal — collecting 40,000 books, to give more than 6,000 children in all three of Kootenai County's public school districts six books of their choosing — is to be realized, Eubanks said it will be because of volunteers like Holcomb, and the generosity of the community as a whole.

"We've taken Jingle Books to the next level," Eubanks said of this year's drive, which includes a partnership with the United Way of Kootenai County. "We're basically helping every little learner in Kootenai County."

Two years ago, Eubanks, along with Greta Gissel, began the Jingle Books program after a discussion on the number of students in the Coeur d'Alene School District who are not reading at or above grade-level. Children, Eubanks said, learn how to read between kindergarten and third grade before transitioning to what he called "reading to learn" in the fourth grade.

However, those who are not reading proficiently by the time they get to fourth grade are at risk to fall behind and potentially never catch up.

"We see that time and time again," Eubanks said. "But, working together, we can change that in our community. Having reading books at home is a huge step in getting kids reading proficiently."

Between now and Dec. 10, those interested in donating books, the content of which is intended for elementary students, can bring them to Jingle Books donation stations located in each of the county's public schools, as well as participating businesses and churches. Eubanks added that new books are also welcome, and financial contributions are also accepted.

"Every penny donated will only be used to purchase children's books in bulk," Eubanks said.

During the week before Christmas break, each public elementary school in the three districts will host a book fair where students from kindergarten through third grade can select free books. The number of books they will get to select is entirely dependent on the response from the community.

Those with questions, or those interested in sponsoring a donation box, can contact Annette Eberlein at United Way at (208) 667-8112 ext. 104, or contact Eubanks at deubanks@cdaschools.org