Students in second to fifth grades at Sunny View Elementary recently received a special treat. Those who earned enough points in the schools Accelerated Reader program got to pick out and help stuff, then take home, a Reading Pillow.

The pillows were made possible by a grant from the Elementary Seeds for Education fund at the Polk County Community Foundation. This fund was established after Rick Howell, former principal of Sunny View School, passed away last year. His influence, and focus on learning, is still impacting the daily lives of Sunny View students.

The students were very excited about receiving their special Reading Pillows, says Angela Hall, media specialist, who applied for the grant. They were encouraged to use them often, and read more. It was a great activity overall, because the students were motivated to read, and parents and grandparents got involved by helping with the sewing.