​Troy Family Gifts Wass Elementary School with Little Free Library

The Destross family was in a bind, searching for just the perfect end-of-the-year gift for their children’s elementary school to express their appreciation for such a wonderful school year. “We’ve had such a positive experience here,” said mom Melissa Destross. “We wanted to do something special for the principal, Mr. Jansen, and for the school.” The Destrosses had seen a Little Library at another school, and thought it would be just perfect for Wass.

Little Free Libraries are small wooden boxes installed in areas people gather that promote neighborhood book exchanges. The boxes are uniquely decorated and filled with books for the community to share and enjoy. Their motto “Take a book, Leave a book” pretty much explains how it works. “My son would get a book every morning when we dropped off his older sister Taliah and return it in the afternoon when we picked her up,” continued Melissa.

The Destrosses presented the idea to Mr. Jansen, and once given the OK began working on the project. They purchased a prefabricated design, and decorations were carefully chosen. It was important to William that he included the Running with the Wolves logo (a favorite event at Wass) and the word wall like in the Wass kindergarten hallway. “I like building things with my Dad (Scott) so it was fun to help build it,” said William. “Also Wass was the greatest school to us, so it's important to do something nice back.” He specifically picked out all of the words he wanted to include, his favorite being Game Changer, from a special memory at Wass.

The Destross family hopes that the Wass Community enjoys being able to take a walk and find new books to read, and “not only enjoy getting a new book to read, but also sharing their favorites by leaving them in the box for others.” Taliah and William now attend Larson Middle School, but have fond memories of Wass and will be watching to see how the Little Library is being used and enjoyed. “We are grateful for this gift from the Destross family, which will encourage readers today and into the future,” concluded Jansen. “It will be like having March is Reading month all year long!”

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Photos Courtesy of Troy School District:

Free Library1: Destross family, L to R: Mom Melissa, Talia, dad Scott and William

Free Library2: Destross family with friends, family and Wass teachers

Free Library3: Talia and William help Mr. Jansen cut the ribbon

Free Library4: Talia, William and Mr. Jansen show off the Box’s word wall

Free Library 5 & 6: Scott and William constructing the Library box