SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – The Marcella Foundation hosted its 3rd annual BookMode Kindle Giveaway Event at Sierra House Elementary School, where 70 brand-new Kindles were distributed to every 2nd-grade student. This event was part of the Marcella Foundation’s ongoing commitment to inspire a love for reading and provide essential resources to young learners, particularly those who may not have books at home.

The impact of the event was immediate and powerful. Teachers shared stories of students being filled with excitement, with one educator noting that over half of her students don’t have books at home, making this giveaway even more meaningful. Another teacher expressed joy as she observed her class engaged in 40 minutes of silent reading on their new devices, highlighting the success of the event in fostering reading habits. Parents were also deeply appreciative, with one parent stating that their child would cherish this experience for years to come.

In 2024, Kindle data revealed that Sierra House 2nd graders read more than 600 hours on their Kindles after getting access to thousands of kid-friendly titles on each device.

“We’re seeing reading engagement 7 days per week on the Kindles throughout the school year and summer months, with students downloading new books every day.” said Melissa Uppendahl, Executive Director of the Marcella Foundation, “the devices are gifted to the individual student, so our hope is that access to high-interest books at an early age will foster a love of reading years to come.” 

A key highlight of the event was the participation of senior leadership from Edgewood Tahoe, who attended as part of the launch of their new Hearts and Heritage program, further supporting the community’s educational initiatives.

“Community involvement is at the heart of Edgewood Tahoe. It enhances not only the guest experience but also the place we proudly call home,” said Angela Vaughn-Likewise, Director of People and Culture, Edgewood Tahoe Resort.

“Our team members are passionate about supporting local initiatives, and hosting this year’s volunteer orientation for the Marcella Foundation—set against the breathtaking backdrop of Lake Tahoe—was a true honor. We are also excited to launch our ‘Hearts and Heritage’ campaign, which will help underscore our deep commitment to service and giving back. As part of this commitment, we also offer every team member a paid volunteer day, reinforcing our dedication to making a meaningful impact in our community,” Vaughn-Likewise continued.

The Marcella Foundation would like to extend their gratitude to the dedicated volunteers from Edgewood and the Lake Tahoe Unified School District who helped make this event possible, and to the school board members—Valerie Mansfield, Laurie Kemper, and Bob Anderson—who attended and showed their support for advancing literacy in the community.

Learn more about the Marcella Foundation and our initiatives at marcellafoundation.org.