Heather Murtagh/Daily Journal Jasmin Riedel, left, and Jenna Mourad, seventh grade students at Ralston Middle School in Belmont, carry books from Dean of Students Matt Pavao’s office Monday. A recent book drive resulted in more than 4,100 books being donated to San Francisco-nonprofit Children’s Book Project.

Stories of princesses, parents, dreaming big and setting goals were bundled together in multiple boxes and bags yesterday at Ralston Middle School in Belmont just waiting for a new home.

Organized by the student government, Ralston students spent a week and one day collecting used books to support the Children’s Book Project, a San Francisco nonprofit that collects books to help disadvantaged children learn to read. The goal was about one book per Ralston student, said Dean of Students Matt Pavao, who oversees student government.

Instead, the school collected about five books per students, or 4,180 books, which were packed up and sent out yesterday.

Service coordinators Leah Roe and Kira Roman, both 12 and in seventh grade, were surprised by the number of books.

Roman said she was unaware of the illiteracy problem of other children before the project.

Community service projects are part of developing the whole child, explained Pavao. Students choose the cause. They’ve done drives, fundraisers and park cleanups. The government students lead the effort, but all students participate. Successful showings, such as the overwhelming number of books, are typical of the Ralston community, he said.

There’s an outreach effort monthly. Students landed on the Children’s Book Project because it was a more local organization and helped children. Once the drive was organized, the students began a marketing campaign of announcements, posters and letters to the teachers, said Roe.

Prizes were offered for the homeroom classes that brought in the most books. First place got a pizza and ice cream parties. Second and third were able to choose one of the options. Sixth graders swept the contest taking all three slots.

Seventh grade student Jenna Mourad, who is also in student government, saw one student bring 50 books.

Twelve-year-old Jasmin Riedel noted she was unaware of the number of books she had at home until the drive started.

Principal Jennifer Kollmann was proud of her students work.

“When they’re really behind a cause, there’s energy, passion. It brings joy to their lives. They really think they can change the world,” she said.

Anyone can hold such a drive.

Kathy Katz, Children’s Book Project programs manager, noted kids are holding book drives year round. Some children ask for books instead of birthday gifts. The group collects children’s books, for infants to teenagers.

Next up for the Ralston community will be a fundraiser to support Heavenly Hats, a nonprofit that donates new hats to cancer patients who lose their hair due to their treatment. On Oct. 16, students can pay $1 and wear their hat in class, something otherwise not allowed. Students will have a mid-day showing of the various hats also.

For more information about the Children’s Book Project visit  www.childrensbookproject.org. To support the Ralston Heavenly Hats fundraiser contact Matt Pavao at  mpavao@belmont.k12.ca.us or visit  www.heavenlyhats.com/.

Heather Murtagh can be reached by e-mail: heather@smdailyjournal.com or by phone: (650) 344-5200 ext. 105.