MARYSVILLE — The Bethlehem Christian School is hoping to support childhood literacy and those hit by recent disasters with a single event Feb. 26.

The school will host a children’s book sale from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at 7215 51st Ave. NE, to raise funds for relief efforts in Haiti.

“We already have a fundraiser every spring,” school parent Erin Lovell said. “By bringing their gently used books to the Bethlehem Christian School gymnasium for the book sale, people can do a bit of spring cleaning while benefiting those in need in Haiti. Especially after being deluged with the media images of what they’re going through, our hearts go out to them, and even a couple of thousand dollars would be a great help.”

The sale will be open to the public and will not feature any set pricing on the books, which Lovell hopes will run the full age range of children’s reading material. All proceeds from the book sale will go toward Haiti relief efforts and will be matched dollar for dollar by Thrivent International, whose humanitarian efforts in Haiti date back before the earthquake.

“The people of Haiti have lived in such impoverished circumstances for so long, that for them to see even more devastation is just heartbreaking,” Lovell said. “So many of them lack education and live in substandard conditions.”

While Lovell acknowledged that the concept of a global community can be difficult for younger children to grasp, even in the midst of the Winter Olympics in Vancouver, she sees the book sale as a means of bringing the Haitians’ plight home to children.

Bethlehem Christian School kindergarten student Sam Kinman found out about the disaster in Haiti by watching the evening news, and has prayed for its victims every night since.

“When I saw it, I felt, ‘Oh, poor Haiti,’” Kinman said. “They need fresh food and fresh water and shelter. I pray for them and our soldiers to be safe. Any small thing we can do can help.”

“Part of our learning program is to instill an understanding that extends beyond our borders,” Lovell said.

For more information or to volunteer, contact Bethlehem Christian School Director Kelly Stadum at 360-653-2882, or e-mail Lovell at eklovell@hotmail.com.