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Earlier this month, special visitors clad in blue brought the joy of reading to students at Ina Arbuckle Elementary School.

As one of their famous “Random Acts of Helpfulness,” the SoCal Honda Dealers’ Helpful Guys (and Gals) gave every student at Ina Arbuckle Elementary School their own new book. Ina was the first school to host a Helpful Honda Free Book Fair, with more planned throughout Southern California this fall.

“Every grade level received a special book …that they got to take home and keep, and put their name in it and save it,” said Ina Arbuckle Elementary School Principal Tina Herrera. “We’re really pushing literacy…and so to have this, it was amazing. Some of our students don’t get new books…Now they get to take these books home, and it’s awesome.”

Joining in the fun at the book fair were Board of Education President Joseph Navarro, Trustee Karen Bradford, MA, and Superintendent, Dr. Trenton Hansen.

Children enjoyed getting their books, signing their names inside the covers, then posing for pictures.

“Reading is important for every kid,” said Zuly Tellez, one of the Helpful Honda people at the event. “Helpful Honda thinks that every kid should have a book, no matter what their financial limitations are.”

“They get so excited when they find out they get to have a book…they get so excited and I love it,” she said.

Mr. Navarro praised Honda for their partnership.

“It’s critical to have these types of relationships. I appreciate Helpful Honda coming out here today to give out these books to students. We’re used to giving candy and treats for kids, but to get a book as a reward is an amazing idea."

​"To have the solid foundation of reading…will benefit our students for the entirety of their lives," Ms. Bradford added. 

JUSD Superintendent Dr. Trenton Hansen noted that the book fair is a wonderful example of how community partners can support the district’s mission. 

“JUSD believes in Learning Without Limits and Literacy Without Limits for every one of the nearly 18,000 students we serve,” Dr. Hansen said. “We are so grateful to educational partners like Helpful Honda for helping us to ensure our students have the resources they need to succeed in school, in career, and in life.  The positive impact of this incredibly generous ‘Random Act of Helpfulness’ reinforces a love of reading and learning and is a great example of kindness and the power of community.”