Casa Pacifica gets a new library
By Michelle Knight knight@theacorn.com

During a recent history lesson on American heroes, teachers at Lang Ranch Elementary in Thousand Oaks wanted to impart more than textbook knowledge to their 140 second-graders.

They wanted the students to learn by doing.

So teachers and students decided to craft blankets for a nonprofit that supplies them to children in distressing situations, such as hospital emergency rooms.

The students were eager to help, teacher Kristen Nordstrom said. But first they had to raise money to buy the materials. The students created artwork to adorn hats, clothing and other collectibles and sold the items to family and friends. They made about $1,600. The teachers bought the flannel material, and the students made and donated 140 handknotted blankets to Project Linus.

Nordstrom said their fundraiser was such a success they had around $1,000 left over. They immediately thought of using the money to help the children at Casa Pacifica. Nordstrom called the Camarillo nonprofit that treats severely abused and neglected children and asked what they needed.

The timing couldn't have been better. Vicki Murphy, director of operations, told her they desperately needed a library. The school had recently been accredited and, as a result, had to have a media center that included a well-stocked library.

The students' money kickstarted the first library at Casa Pacifica by stocking it with 200 to 250 new books. Nordstrom delivered the last box of books earlier this month.

Lang Ranch students understood the lesson.

"I felt good from doing it, because I'm helping someone else, 8year-old Clayton Yuckert said.

"It makes me feel happy that they got new books to read," said Noah Meshwork, also 8. "I love going to the library, and I hope their library turns out great."

Murphy said Casa Pacifica children learned a lesson too.

"For them to know that all these children in the community care about them is huge," she said.

Since the donation, Casa Pacifica has started a book club, Murphy said.

For more information about the new library or to contribute, call Casa Pacifica at (805) 445-7800.