Stetson Law Review collects books, coordinates event for children at Boys & Girls Club

Stetson Law Review held a book drive on the Gulfport campus. (Seated at table L-R): Cindy Innocent and Kai Su. Photo by Merve Ozcan.

Student members of Stetson Law Review collected books for children during a book drive on the Gulfport campus, and distributed them during a book giveaway pizza party event at the Boys & Girls Club in St. Petersburg on Oct. 25. The event featured games, a raffle, food and drinks.

Members of the Stetson Law Review donated funds to purchase prizes for every child in attendance. Stetson students who work with the Reading Pals program, directed by United Way Suncoast, also volunteered to help with the event.

(L-R): Larisa Radionova (Karolina Apa’s mother) and Karolina Apa. Photo courtesy Karolina Apa.

“Books are such simple things. On the surface, they are nothing but pieces of paper bound together containing strings of words—but books contain amazing power,” said Stetson Law student Karolina Apa, pro bono chair for the Stetson Law Review. “The ability to read and access to books can change a child’s life.”

Apa’s mother, who is not a native English-speaker, donated her time at the event to give back to the community.

Local businesses including the family-owned Luke’s Barbershop, Inc. of Palm Harbor, and Domino’s franchise Team St. Pete, Inc., of Pinellas, Hillsborough and Lee counties, sponsored the event for children, donating funds and 18 pizzas. Team St. Pete also supports the Pinellas County Education Foundation and Eckerd College.