Local Students Receive 5K Books Donated by Valley Metro Employees

A Valley Metro bus delivered books to local schools as part of the annual Driving for Books campaign. Students at schools in Mesa, Phoenix and Tempe hopped on board a special Valley Metro bus to pick up their summertime reading.

Distribution began at Thew Elementary School where K-5 students each took home a book as the school year comes to a close.

“I couldn’t have done this alone,” said Valley Metro bus operator Jermaine Bethea. Several years ago, as a Tempe Elementary School District bus driver, he started donating books to students that may not have a book of their own. “I want to give back to the kids in my community. It’s fun to see how happy they are when they receive their books.”

The donation of books from Valley Metro and First Transit employees doubled from last year going from 2,100 to 5,000.

“I am so excited to read my new book this summer,” said second-grader Catherine Espinoza.