Photo courtesy of Avera Marshall Last week, Avera Marshall staff accepted a donation of 458 board books for new mothers at the hospital. Courtney Hartner, an Usborne Books & More representative, held a book drive for the project in December. Pictured are, Avera Foundation Regional Director Abby Ahmann; Cheryl Fischer, RN; Brenda Stoneberg, RN; Courtney Hartner; and Usborne representative and RN Shannon Dritz and her daughter.

MARSHALL — When she started a book drive to benefit newborn babies and their parents, Courtney Hartner didn’t realize how the results would stack up.

“There were 17 huge boxes of books,” Hartner said.

Inside were more than 400 books paid for with the help of community donations. Hopefully, there will be one book to give to each baby born at Avera Marshall Regional Medical Center this year, Hartner said.

“It really was overwhelming in the best way possible,” she said of the book drive. Hartner, a Marshall resident and a former ultrasound technician at Avera Marshall, delivered the books to the hospital on Thursday morning.

“We all know how reading to our children is so important for bonding and development. We are so thankful for this donation from Courtney and all of the individuals who made it possible,” said Kim Peterson, supervisor of the Avera Marshall Women’s Center.

Hartner is a currently a representative for Usborne Books & More. She said the idea to do a book drive for the hospital was inspired by a friend of hers, who did a similar donation drive for Big Stone Therapies in Marshall.

“I wondered if this was something I could do,” she said.

With her background as an ultrasound technician, Hartner also knew she wanted to help the obstetrics department at Avera Marshall.

“That was the first unit that came to mind,” she said.

Hartner reached out to Peterson, the supervisor of the Avera Marshall Women’s Center, about donating new books for parents and babies.

“We all know how important it is for kids to read, and not everyone has access to books,” Hartner said.

The book drive ran from Dec. 3 to Dec. 17.

“It was one of the most humbling experiences I have ever been a part of,” Hartner said of the book drive. More than 100 community members pledged over $3,000 in just two weeks, and Usborne’s Literacy For a Lifetime initiative provided 50% in matching funds.

Hartner was able to purchase a total of 458 books. The books are all from Usborne’s “That’s Not My” series, with titles ranging from “That’s Not My Giraffe” to “That’s Not My Tractor.”

Hartner said the books all have sturdy pages, with different textured patches on them that children can touch. The donation included books in both English and Spanish.

One of the reasons why a book drive seemed like a good fit for the obstetrics department is because reading a story is a good way for parents and babies to be close together and bond.

“Listening to your mom or dad’s voice, that bond really starts from the time you are born,” she said.

Reading out loud is also a way to bond that can start right away in the hospital.

The books purchased through the book drive arrived in January. Hartner organized them all by subject, and made the delivery to Avera Marshall.

“We had to take a utility cart out to my car,” she said.

Hartner said it was humbling to see how community members were willing to donate during the Christmas season, when many people have their own holiday shopping to take care of. She was thankful for the generosity of everyone who contributed to the book drive.

“These books are going to help so many families bond over reading,” she said.