EASY READERS—Vicki Murphy, director of Casa Pacifica, shares a moment with students from Lang Ranch Elementary School in Thousand Oaks who raised money for library books for the Camarillo-based shelter. The Lang Ranch students include, from left, Morgan Dye, Riley Harris, Hannah Dye and Caleb Harris. For the third year in a row, the second-graders of Lang Ranch Elementary School in Thousand Oaks have raised money for library books for the children at Casa Pacifica.

Casa Pacifica, located on a 23acre property in Camarillo, serves abused, neglected and severely emotionally disturbed children from the Tri-County area of Southern California.

Three years ago, Casa Pacifica did not have a library. During a unit of curriculum that highlights heroes, the second-grade teachers began brainstorming what the young students could do to understand how it feels to help others.

"We were teaching the heroes curriculum, telling the students about how people like Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Jefferson and Harriet Tubman made a difference in others' lives by giving," said Kristen Nordstrom, the secondgrade teacher who leads the program each year.

"We thought, 'What can we do so that they could actually feel what it feels like to give back?' They were really enthusiastic and really love it."

As part of the "Heroes Make A Difference" social studies unit, the second-graders collect used books and sell them at a book sale every year.

"They are really committed to it," Nordstrom said. "We love Casa, and we want to do everything we can to help them."

This year they raised $300; the amount varies year to year. Nordstrom said last year they raised $700. The money is given to Casa Pacifica to purchase new books, which are required at an official library.

"They are terrific, a really great group," said Vicki Murphy, director of development and operations at Casa Pacifica. "Each year they've been so generous."

Murphy, who taught second grade for 15 years, said she's grateful that Lang Ranch is introducing volunteerism to their students at such a young age.

"It's a wonderful example of families and schools partnering to teach their students about philanthropy, and they do it so well," Murphy said. "It's the time to do it, when they're young. The kids (at Lang Ranch) are just delightful. They are so cute and so smart."

There are seven second-grade classes—about 140 children, who are each individually involved in the project.

"Everybody is involved, from bringing books from home, helping move books down to the office, setting up the sale, selling books, taking money," Nordstrom said. "We also had a group of kids who went out to Camarillo to take the donation to them. We figure out some way every child can be involved."

Nordstrom said the project has inspired other schools to get involved with Casa Pacifica and has encouraged some kids to become regular volunteers.

"Because of the service they've done in second grade, they've gone on to run their own fundraisers for Casa and become volunteers there," Nordstrom said, adding that some kids run lemonade stands or contribute materials for art projects. "The more they learn about the facility, the more they learn they can do something. It's a revelation for them, and it's kind of a sweet thing to see."