What better way to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year than by collecting more than 500 books to give to elementary students?

The TekLinks team is at it again, spending our free time serving the students at Oxmoor Valley Elementary School. "So far this school year, we have provided the hundreds of OVE students with free tutoring, backpacks, school supplies, and much more," says Charlotte Conaway, community development leader for TekLinks. The TekLinks team, along with Santa Claus, recently gifted the elementary students with books for the holiday season.

TekLinks began its partnership with the school last school year when it partnered with United Way of Central Alabama and Birmingham City Schools to adopt Oxmoor Valley Elementary School. "Last year, we worked to set a standard for what yearlong school adoption looks like in Birmingham. It's not a trend that had sparked in this community yet," says Charlotte.

As school began this year, TekLinks stuffed backpacks with school supplies for the children's back-to-school bash. And in October, the TekLinks team worked with Children's Hospital to hand out 39 booster seats at the school. "Road injuries are the leading cause of accidental deaths and life-changing injuries to children in the United States," says Charlotte. "So we went to work providing not only the boosters but education on how to properly install the seats."

TekLink is again asking the community to join us in adopting schools within Birmingham City Schools. "Blessing this school makes this holiday season so much brighter. Join us, and you'll see," says Charlotte. Contact her at cconaway@teklinks.com for info on how to get involved.

Photos by Peter Pajor/TekLinks