Out with the old books

This week, students registering at Corona del Mar High and Middle schools are exchanging old children’s books for new textbooks.

The book drive will benefit young patients at Children’s Hospital of Orange County and is being put on by the high school’s Athletes in Motion club.

The club provides academic support and mentoring for student athletes, and gives those with rigorous practice schedules the opportunity to do volunteer activities that fit in their busy calendars. Other volunteer opportunities have included conducting a food drive and helping with a CPR class.

On Monday, incoming seniors and seventh-graders gave one another hugs and eagerly got caught up on the summer’s activities and gossip while they registered and donated books. The school registers different grades each day of the week, prior to the start of the school year.

“Get a locker in the shade, so it won’t burn you when you try to open it,” one incoming student’s kid sister advised her.

By the end of the registration session Monday, a big blue bucket was filled with tattered copies of books like “Goodnight Moon” and “Eragon.”

Kids who donated three free books received a Carl’s Jr. burger coupon.

Jamie Heinecke, 17, donated a Curious George book and a copy of “Little Red Riding Hood,” among others.

He heard about the book drive from his friends, who helped organize the event. The club also advertised the drive through fliers and e-mails.

“We chose CHOC to give the books to because we’ve had friends stay there, and they said they needed books,” said drive co-organizer Michael Borchard, 17.

He and his friend JD Abbott co-founded the Athletes in Motion club during their sophomore year.

Michael’s father owns a chain of Carl’s Jr. franchises, which helped them develop an incentive for students to bring in books.

The first time the drive was held last year, more than 2,000 books were collected, JD said. They were surprised at the outcome, and hope to meet that milestone again this year.

“We’re really fortunate here at Corona del Mar,” JD said. “I just wanted to help out.”