PINE HILLS, Fla. — A Lake Highland Preparatory School sophomore is helping Pine Hills Elementary School students take home new books they might not otherwise be able to afford.

What You Need To Know

Lake Highland sophomore, Helena Madsen, raised more than $7,000 through her tax-deductible nonprofit, The Giving Shelf

The money helped about 650 students at Pine Hills Elementary take home books from the school’s Scholastic Book Fair

School leaders say early access to books builds confidence and supports learning across subjects

30% to 40% of book fair sales go back to the school to help fill the library and purchase equipment

Helena Madsen, a 10th grader and founder of the tax-deductible nonprofit 501(c)(3), The Giving Shelf, raised $7,500 to cover the cost of books for about 650 students during the school’s Scholastic Book Fair, which ran from Feb. 23 through March 2.

Madsen said her love for book fairs growing up inspired her to step in once she realized not every child gets the same opportunity.

“When I was older, I realized that not every kid gets that opportunity, and I wanted to change that,” Madsen said.

Pine Hills Elementary Assistant Principal Stefanie Gray said the school serves a community where many families are facing financial hardship, making access to books especially important.

“With the poverty level in our area, it’s hard for students to get access,” Gray said. “So, any chance we get to get an opportunity for our kids to get books, we’re here for it.”

Gray also said early access to books helps students build a foundation that supports learning across subjects.

“I think it’s very crucial, especially from kindergarten level, for students to have books in their hands,” she said.

The impact extends beyond free books for students. School leaders said a portion of proceeds from books purchased at the fair — about 30% to 40% — goes back to Pine Hills Elementary School to help fill the library and purchase equipment.

Students like Zada Gardner said being able to pick out books makes reading feel exciting.

“It feels like I can get more books so I can learn more and I can have much more fun,” Gardner said.

Madsen said she’s now pushing toward a $12,000 goal so students can take home more than one book, and she hopes to expand The Giving Shelf to support more schools in the future.